Flags Over Raiderland

Quick Update

2009-08-31T11:48:00.002-05:00

Sorry I've been under the weather and haven't felt up to writing much. I'll get caught up here soon though.

Where The Hell Is the Pass Rush Coming From in 2009?

2009-08-27T08:48:00.001-05:00

Every college football pundit is quick to point out that Mike Leach is stuck with the unenviable task of replacing Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. However, the issue being continually overlooked is where the heck is Defensive Coordinator Ruffin McNeill going to find a pass rush. He's charged with having to replace Brandon Williams, McKinner Dixon, and the 19 sacks that they took with them.

Who will Ruff turn to?

A converted defensive tackle.
A player who played in the "Joker" package almost exclusively in 2008.
A 2* JUCO player whose career best game consisted of two tackles (one assisted) at Texas A&M.
A local boy who has never played in a Big 12 game.

At first glance, that list is sure to inspire confidence.

But as Mr. Corso would say...

Not...so fast my friend!

Rajon Henley, a close friend of Brandon Williams (4th round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys), has talked with him at length about the position switch and what Henley needs to do to get ready for the NFL. As a result, Henley has dropped at least 20 lbs, shaved over a tenth of his 40 time and by all accounts has made a very smooth transition to the outside.

The other three players referenced above are Daniel Howard, Brandon Sharpe, and Ryan Halliburton. Depending who you ask, Howard and/or Sharpe have been unstoppable at times during fall camp . Both have welcomed the increased playing time and responsibility that comes with replacing a pair of All-Big 12 players. Halliburton is coming along nicely as well but won't be asked to shoulder quite as much of a burden as Rajon's backup.

One player that I failed to mention is Brandon Sesay. One of the top JUCO prospects in the country when he signed in 2008, Sesay has continued to struggle both on the field as well as off it. He wasn't fully qualified until just before the season started last year and then failed to perform up to his abilities on a consistent basis once he stepped onto the gridiron.

By all accounts, he was starting to "get it" during spring practice and was going to be a nice compliment to Henley. Unfortunately, his lack of interest in going to class caught up to him yet again. He is still listed on the fall camp roster and no official announcement has been made regarding his status (both academic and athletic) with Texas Tech, but it doesn't look like we will see Mr. Sesay donning the red and black this fall.

Despite Sesay's loss, the Red Raiders still have a promising and experienced group of defensive ends suiting up on Satudays. The optimist in me hopes Henley logs eight sacks and nabs Second Team All-Big 12 honors. As a group, expect 18.5 sacks (down from 23.5) and a high level of energy from the defensive bookends this fall.

Crabtree 2.0 Or the No-Name Receiving Corps?

2009-08-26T17:10:00.001-05:00

Every Texas Tech fan is waiting, hoping, and praying for the next Michael Crabtree to show up at the Jones this fall.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news; he's not in Lubbock and won't be this year.

However, that doesn't mean that the Air Raid isn't going to just as much of a nightmare for opposing coaches as it was with No. 5 in the lineup.

In fact, one could easily make the case that this is the most talented crop of pass catchers that Capt. Leach has ever put on the field.

Yesterday, I mentioned true freshman Eric Ward. He is a four-star recruit that was committed to Oklahoma before switching to Texas Tech. We are still 10 days away from the North Dakota game but it looks like he might be redshirted.

Think back to 2005. At that time it was inconceivable to think that the Red Raiders would be in a position talent-wise to redshirt an elite prospect, much less one who plays wide receiver.

Back to what you can expect to see this fall.

The Air Raid will again feature a QB that passes for 4,000+ yards. It will again feature eight or nine guys that catch 15 or more balls, gaining 100+ yards, and scoring at least one touchdown.

However, don't expect to see Detron Lewis or Ed Britton grabbing 95 balls for 1,110 yards and 12 TD's. They simply are not the difference makers that Crabtree was.

Nobody on this roster (or any other roster in FBS except for maybe Julio Jones) should be expected to deliver a Crabtree-esque performance.

I see the 2009 edition of the Air Raid being a virtual mirror of the 2005 group. Four players catching between 65 and 75 passes, scoring five touchdowns each, and collectively gaining over 3,000 yards.

If you want a sleeper to watch this fall, then check out Lyle Leong. He and Taylor Potts were arguably the most dynamic QB/WR duo in Texas HS Football in 2004 and 2005. Leong was 1st Team All-State and averaged 22 yards per catch as a senior at Abilene High.

Oh and one other thing...

The Crabtree 2.0 starter kit is on his way to Lubbock. His name is Kadron Boone of Ocala, Fla., and he will be in Lubbock June 1, 2010. Stay tuned...

Will there be any freshman making an impact this year?

2009-08-25T09:15:00.003-05:00

I'm glad you asked...the answer is not only yes but ABSOLUTELY YES!!! Mike Leach hauled in arguably his most talented recruiting class to date (the 2010 class might just take that title if it continues developing) and we can expect to see quite a few of these newbies playing meaningful snaps this fall.

Pearlie Graves - This beast of a DT was one of the great surprises of Tech's 2009 recruiting class. Considered a long shot at best just a few days before National Signing Day, Graves faxed in his letter of intent to the Red Raiders early in the day and provided one of the biggest surprises of NSD. Since arriving in Lubbock in June, Graves has made an impression first in the weight room and now on the practice field during fall camp. We aren't totally sure just how much PT Graves will see this fall but he's likely the 5th or 6th DT in the rotation if they are going to skip a redshirt. His progression is especially important now that Rajon Henley is moving to DE this season. If Tech's defense is going to perform close to last year's squad, keeping a fresh DLine is essential and Graves will play a key role in ensuring that the drop off is minimal (if non-existent) when Whitlock, Jones, etc comes off the field. Expect 5-8 snaps/game.

D.J. Johnson - It's not every day that you see a kid go from playing private HS ball to earning playing time as a true freshman on a Big 12 team but that's exactly what D.J. Johnson has done. Every indication is that he will be in the rotation at CB behind Wall, Moore, etc. Expect 9-12 snaps/game.

Eric Ward - Another steal in recruiting, Ward quietly enrolled at Texas Tech last January after committing to Oklahoma. He showed flashes of greatness in the spring but also has a big learning curve to crack the two deep at wideout. While Tech would prefer to not play him, nothing definite has been announced so as I write this Ward is still in contention for the last outside WR spot with Rashad Hawk. If it were up to me, I'd rather see Ward get 5-10 snaps/game instead of hoping that Hawk will finally figure it out this fall. I hate throwing around the word upside...but Ward has it and Hawk hasn't shown anything to make one think that he's on the verge of a breakout season. Also, Ward can contribute on special teams. Expect 15-20 catches, 250 yards, and 3 TD's along with spot work at kick returner

Terrance Bullitt/Daniel Cobb/Will Ford - I'm lumping these three guys together. They are all similar in size, speed, and Rivals rating as recruits. It looks like two of the three will play. Early indications were that it would be Cobb and Ford but Coach Ruff said yesterday after practice that he can comfortably announce that Bullitt and Ford will not be redshirted. He did not make any mention of Cobb. Regardless of who plays this fall, I like the fact that these guys are in the running for playing time right out of the gate. It tells me that 1) Tech is upgrading in talent on the defensive side of the ball and 2) that Ruff is going to put the best players on the field whether that are true freshman or 5th year seniors. Expect 15-18 snaps/game for each player that doesn't redshirt.

Eric Stephens - I tabbed Eric as the star of the recruiting class back in February and he appears to be all that and more so far. When Baron Batch went down with an injury, it gave Stephens the opportunity to take first team reps in practice and he has made the most of his opportunity. If nothing else, he's demonstrated that he's a viable backup to Batch and Jeffers (instead of Crawford being the 3rd man) and that he just might be the best punt returner on the roster. While it would be great to redshirt him, it doesn't look like that luxury is available with Batch's injury history and Crawford unable to consistently practice w/o having to wear a no-contact jersey. This doesn't mean that I think he's going to start taking significant carries away from Batch or Jeffers...but he'll get more than was originally planned. Expect 25-30 carries, 10 receptions, 300 total yards, and at least 2 jaw dropping TD's. He will also see time at punt returner.

2009 Preseason Blog Schedule

2009 Preseason Blog Schedule

2009-08-25T09:03:00.006-05:00

I'm alive and (more importantly) Flags Over Raiderland is making a return appearance to the Tech County blogosphere. Here is the preseason blog schedule leading up to the start of the 2009 season next Saturday (we're going to ignore the spare schedule of games on Thursday and Friday unless you really want to get my thoughts on ND State @ Iowa State or USC @ NC State).

August 25 - Who are the true freshman that will play this fall?
August 26 - Will we see a Crabtree 2.0 or a more balanced receiving corps?
August 27 - Who replaces Brandon Williams and McKinner Dixon?
August 28 - Who fills the CB spot opposite Jamar Wall?
August 29 - How will the reloaded OL look and play in 2009?
August 30 - What should you expect from Taylor Potts?
August 31 - Will the 2009 run game resemble that of 2008 or 2006?
September 1 - Who will come out of nowhere (non-freshman) to make an impact?
September 2 - Which ranked team(s) will Tech upset this fall?
September 3 - Off, Def, ST, Frosh, and Coach MVP's for 2009
September 4 - 2009 Season Prediction
September 5 - Week 1 Picks ATS

2009 Recruiting Class Thoughts

2009-02-06T09:30:00.003-06:00

Well my day is pretty much over at 9:30 (at least the work part of it) so I thought I'd do a little wrap up on recruiting.

Star of the class: A lot of people will point towards 4 Star DT Pearlie Graves as the biggest get for the Red Raiders. However, I'm going to go in another direction and take Eric Stephens, RB Mansfield Timberview. Initially committed to Minnesota, Stephens spent a long time looking at Tech (including multiple visits to Lubbock) before finally switching to the good guys after the Texas game. The reason I'm excited about him is that the pipeline at running back is WELL stocked for the next few years with Batch, Jeffers, and now Stephens. As we all saw this year, the emergence of the running game in the Air Raid had as much to do with this team's success as anything else. Stephens is rated by Rivals as the 3rd best RB in space and ESPN notes that he's arguably the most elusive back in this country this year with an ability to reach top speed in a few steps. Most importantly, he is by all accounts a great character kid who takes care of himself in the class and will represent Texas Tech very well. If the Red Raiders are to continue having 10 win seasons in the future, Eric Stephens will be a big reason for that success.

Sleeper of the Class: Derrick Mays, ATH Killeen Shoemaker. I debated whether to put him here or at Immediate Impact because there's a VERY good chance that Mays is on the field come August. He has low 4.4 speed and runs a sub 21 second 200m dash. If there's one thing that this team is missing...it's speed across the field (see Ole Miss game for further explanation). While Mays will likely end up playing CB in a few years for Tech, expect to see him returning kicks and punts in 2009 along with the occassional designed play for him on offense. Leach showed some wrinkles last year (Crabtree and EMo taking snaps, Harrell running a zone read, the play action pass to the FB in goalline situations) so I wouldn't put it past him to find a way to get the ball in the hands of Mays next year.

Immediate Impact: One player is already on campus as a spring enrollee and that is Eric Ward, WR Wichita Falls Rider. Ward literally jumped ship on the Sooners at the 11th hour, visiting and subsequently enrolling at Texas Tech in a matter of a few days as classes were starting back up this semester. Not only is Ward the highest rated WR of this class, he is already working out with the team and learning the various receiver roles in Leach's scheme. Expect to see him take over the H slot formerly filled by Amendola and Morris and bring a new level of athleticism to the position that hasn't been there in previous years.

Biggest Project: Myles Wade, DT unattached. Hard to think that I could label a guy that was an Army All-American and Rivals 100 member in 2007 as a "project." For those who aren't familiar with Mr. Wade, you are truly missing out an inspirational story of a young man that's already dealt with a lot in his life. Committed to Oregon out of high school, he was unable to qualify and Oregon placed him at a JUCO in Yuma, AZ. However, after playing there in 2007, Wade was then asked to sit out of competitive football in 2008 so as to preserve his eligibility (he has 3 years to play 3) for his eventual return to Oregon He spent the fall at a local college going to school and working out every day at 6AM with a trainer while also taking care of his terminally ill mother (she passed away in late December I believe). Unfortunately, Mike Bellotti and his staff pulled the plug on Myles this fall and said that he was no longer a fit for their program. Enter Coach Ruff and Texas Tech. They started talking with Myles and finding out that this is a kid who has done everything that's been asked of him in hopes of getting to the Division 1 level. Myles finally decided to visit in late January. After he left Lubbock, Ruff and Leach practically followed him back up to Portland to meet his father and sister. After a lengthy and emotional in-home visit, Myles committed to Texas Tech. I for one will be rooting like hell for this kid to make it. He's been through a lot to get to where he is today and it's hard not to applaud a kid for doing everything possible to improve his situation despite the obstacles that kept piling up in front of him.

Now that you've read his story...let me state the obvious for why I listed him as the biggest project. Yes he's got plenty of rust that he's going to have to work off before he'll be ready to play Big 12 football (insert Dan Hawkins voice.) However, he's my "biggest project" because if and when he gets to Lubbock, gets fully qualified, and gets himself adjusted to football at the highest collegiate level, he gives the Red Raiders an explosiveness on the interior d-line that they've never had before. Combined with Pearlie Graves, they could form one of the most formidable run stopping duos in the conference for the next few years.

Don't Get Too Excited: James Scott, LB Coldspring (HS), TX. While he certainly passes the eye test at 6'3" 220" w/ 4.5 speed and the limited footage on him is very impressive...he's got a long ways to go before he'll qualify. It's likely that Tech will place him in a JUCO and keep in touch with him for the next two years and try to get him in the fold after that.

Glad to be back in the world of blogging...have a good weekend everybody!

Don't Stop Believin...

2008-11-29T10:58:00.004-06:00

Last weekend was rough...but at least it was quick and painless. Last week was 5-2 so I'm now at 30-20 ATS. Time to finish up the regular season on a winning note:

Virginia Tech 21
Virginia 24 (+7 or maybe even the +250 if you're feeling crazy!!!)

Missouri 42
Kansas 31 (+16)

Georgia 21
Georgia Tech 17 (+8)

Houston 48 (-3)
Rice 31

Texas Tech 42
Baylor 28 (-22)

Florida 27
Florida State 17 (+16.5)

Alabama 23
Auburn 13 (+14.5)

Oklahoma 38 (-7.5)
Oklahoma State 28

Oregon State 31
Oregon 34 (+3)

We're stormin Norman...

2008-11-22T10:22:00.004-06:00

I've got 30 minutes or so until I hit the road for the land of boomer. I won't lie...I was up until 3, I was dreaming about the game tonight, and I woke up more anxious than I've been since I proposed to my fiancee a year ago. Ok...enough about me. Time to make some picks. I'm now at 25-18 so a winning week would be very nice heading towards the bowl season next month.

Ohio State 33 (-19.5)
Michigan 10

Notre Dame 34 (-20)
Syracuse 7

Houston 38
UTEP 30 (+17)

Ole Miss 30 (+135 or +3.5)
LSU 27

Boston College 20 (+2.5)
Wake Forest 16

BYU 17
Utah 27 (-7)

Texas Tech 38 (+7)
Oklahoma 34

Texas Tech vs Oklahoma - Simulation

2008-11-19T11:21:00.007-06:00

Kirk and Lee think that Jamar Wall's play tonight against Iglesias and Johnson will go a long way in determining the outcome of this one. Oklahoma wins the toss and elects to receive...here we go from Norman!

- Iglesias returns the opening kick to the 25 where he's met by Taylor Charbonnet.
- On 3rd and short, Marlon Williams sneaks through the line and brings down Murray a yard shy of the first down line.

- After a 9 yd punt return by Eric Morris, Texas Tech takes over at their own 36 yd line.
- On 3rd and 4, Harrell finds Lyle Leong over the middle for a first down inside OU territory.
- On 1st and 10 from the 30, Alexander blows past Rylan Reed and gets to Harrell for the first sack of the game.
- 2nd and 10 from the 16, Harrell finds Morris behind the secondary but he can't quite haul the ball in for a touchdown.

- On 3rd down, they throw the fade to Britton on the wide side of the field...he out jumps his defender and comes down in the endzone. Touchdown Red Raiders!!!

Texas Tech 7
Oklahoma 0
9:32 1st Quarter

- 2nd and 3 for the Sooners at their own 29, Bradford rolls left but is chased down by Colby Whitlock for a sack before he can get a pass off. The boy from Noble, OK is making his presence felt early in this one.
- DeMarco Murray is stuffed by Dixon and Charbonnet on a toss play and the Sooners have to punt agian.

- Crabtree lined up in the left slot, ball at midfield on the right hash. Harrell drops back, scans the field, fires deep to the corner...Crabtree's got it at the 20 and the rest is a formality. Touchdown Red Raiders

Texas Tech 14
Oklahoma 0
5:48 1st Quarter

- Despite a slow start to the game, Bradford and company are starting to open things up quick. After a 12 yd pass and catch to Iglesias gets them a 3rd down, Murray takes a screen pass for 18 yards and Darcel McBath keeps him from taking it to the hosue.
- Doesn't matter...on the next play Murray takes a toss and goes 49 yards to paydirt.

Texas Tech 14
Oklahoma 7
2:41 1st Quarter

- Tech is advancing the ball steadily down the field but come up a foot short on 4th down at the OU 47. No fear though as Captain Leach calls for a quick screen to Morris and the chains are moved as we reach the end of the 1st quarter.

Texas Tech 14
Oklahoma 7
End of 1st Quarter

(note: Graham Harrell is 13 of 18 for 143 yards and 2 TD's after 1 quarter of play. Sam Bradford is 3 of 4 for 25 yards.)

- 2nd and 1 from the 9 yard line and Harrell connects with Crabtree on a crossing route and he beats a slew of OU defenders to the endzone.

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma 7
14:47 2nd Quarter

- Iglesias returns the kick to the OU 42 yard line. On first down, LA Reed picks off a Bradford pass.
- However, on the Red Raiders first play, Harrell tries to squeeze a deep ball into Crabtree over 2 defenders but Nic Harris comes up with the pick and returns it back to the OU 31.

- Ruffin McNeill feels that his defense stopped Murray a yard shy of a first down, but a favorable spot and a poor review gives the Sooners a first down at their own 41. On the next play, Bradford finds Jermaine Gresham on a designed clearout play for the big TE, and he breaks 2 tackles (including running over L.A. Reed) on his way to the endzone.

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma 14
12:18 2nd Quarter

- After a nice kick return by Ed Britton, Harrell finds Lyle Leong for 26 yards and a Tech first down inside the OU 40.
- Two plays later, and Adam James makes a great catch in traffic to put the ball at the OU 19.
- Two more plays, and Harrell finds Crabtree for a 3rd touchdown and it's only the first half. Nessler and Herbstreit comment that this WR is the best player in the country and Corso states that he'd hate to be the defensive back (this time it's safety Nic Harris) because Harrell and Crabs are just toying with him.

Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma 14
9:10 2nd Quarter

- A lot of Murray with a few short passes sprinkled in and the boomers are down to the Tech 23 yard line.
- On 3rd and 5 from the Tech 18, Chris Brown takes a shovel pass from Bradford but is knocked down immediately by Mr. Duncan and the Sooners have to settle for a FG.

Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma 17
2:42 2nd Quarter

- And bad luck just hits the Red Raiders in bunches. Ed Britton dislocates his elbow on the kickoff. On the next play, Baron Batch fumbles a screen pass and it's recovered by the Sooners at the Texas Tech 25.

- Two runs by Murray and the Sooners have 1st and goal at the 1.
- On first down, Brian Duncan stops Murray at the line of scrimmage.
- On second down, Bront Bird brings down Manuel Johnson back at the 4 on a WR screen.
- On third down, Marlon Williams gets to Murray on a toss to the wide side of the field and stops him at the 7 yard line. Again...the Sooners settle for a FG.

Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma 20
:49 2nd Quarter

- Harrell to Swindall for 21 yards...31 seconds left...timeout!
- Harrell to Crabtree...incomplete
- Harrell to Swindall...caught at the 32 yard line. Wait...official review...no catch!!! 19 second left
- Harrell to Crabtree for 16 yards...14 seconds left...timeout!
- Harrell to Lewis...dropped
- Harrell to Crabtree...2 yards 4 seconds left...timeout!
- Donnie Carona just sneaks in a 49 yd FG to end a wild first half.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 20
HALFTIME

Noteable Stats
- Graham Harrell is 23 of 31 for 256 yds 4 TD's and 1 INT
- Michael Crabtree has 8 catches for 108 yds and 3 TD's. 9 other WR's have a combined 15 catches and 5 of them have at least 2 catches.
- Baron Batch has 6 carries for 34 yds and 2 catches for 6 yards
- Brian Duncan has 5 tackles and 1 pass deflection
- Darcel McBath has 5 tackles
- Colby Whitlock has 3 tackles and 1 sack
- Marlon Williams has 4 tackles and 2 for loss
- Sam Bradford is 7 of 9 for 132 yds 1 TD 1 INT
- DeMarco Murray has 17 carries for 85 yards and 1 TD
- Jermaine Gresham has 3 catches for 80 yards and 1 TD

---3rd Quarter---

- Texas Tech gets the ball first and Harrell leads the boys on a methodical 12 play 78 yard drive. Unfortunately, they come up a yard shy as their 4th and goal from the 2 QB option is blown up in the backfield by a blitzing Nic Harris as Harrell tries to run it in for the TD. OU ball at the 5.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 20
10:32 3rd Quarter

- On 2nd and 6 from the 9, Darcel McBath "pulls a Gideon" and drops an easy interception. On the next play, DeMarco Murray runs for 12 yards and a first down.
- The Sooners put together a nice drive but again have to try a FG. This time however, a kick from 53 yards out is just wide right. Tech takes over with about 4:30 left in the 3rd quarter.

- Harrell and Batch move the offense right down the field to the 12 yard line. However, Harrell throws just behind Tramain Swindall and it's picked off at the 3 yard line.

- Two plays later, Manuel Johnson takes a WR end around and runs all the way to the 34 yard line before Daniel Charbonnet makes a touchdown saving tackle.
- A rare Jake Ratliff sighting as he stops Murray for a 2 yard loss on the next play.
- On 3rd and long, Bradford finds Chaney open along the sideline but L.A. Reed does an awesome job making up ground and breaks up the pass.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 20
End of 3rd Quarter

- On the first play of the 4th quarter, Harrell throws a quick hitch to Crabtree. He turns and is blindsided by an Jackson and Clayton picks it up and runs it back for a 28 yd touchdown.

- DeMarco Murray just breaks the plane of the endzone and the 2 pt conversion is good.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 28
14:44 4th Quarter

- On 1st and 10 from their own 28, Graham Harrell can't find anybody open and is sacked by Jeremy Beal for a 10 yard loss.
- Tech is forced to punt and the Sooners take over at their own 33 yard line. 12 minutes left in the game...

- On 3rd and 4 from the OU 39, Bradford completes a 15 yard pass to Manuel Johnson for a first down. Unfortunately, Phil Loadholt is called for holding and on 3rd and 14, Brandon Williams sacks Sam Bradford and forces the Sooners to punt.

- On consecutive 3rd downs, Harrell checks into a run play and the boys up front do their part to allow the backs to keep the drive alive with consecutive first downs. 8 minutes and ticking with the ball inside the OU 45.
- Harrell tries to squeeze an out route in to Ed Britton but Dominque Franks steps in front of it and returns it to Tech 49 yard line.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 28
6:17 4th Quarter

- On 2nd down, Brian Duncan drops what would've been a HUGE interception at the Tech 40 yard line. 3rd and 10

- No worries though as Jamar Wall intercepts Bradford at the Tech 23 yard line on a pass 4intended for Adron Tennell. 4:42 left in 4th quarter.

- First down...first down...and first down...Tech is down inside the OU 40 yard line and the clock is under 2 minutes.
- Baron Batch up the middle for 2 yards. Timeout OU...1:47 left
- Batch ona quick toss to the right for 2 yards. Timeout OU...1:39 left
- Harrell over the middle to Crabtree for 5 yards. 1:30 and ticking...4th and 1 at the OU 32 yard line.
- The offense lines up like they're going to run a play and in fact snaps the ball for a successful QB sneak. However, Lyle Leong is called for a false start and it backs the team up 5 yards.
- Leach sends out Carona to try a 51 yard FG...it's straight enough...it's long enough...OOO it's off the cross bar. NO GOOD!!!

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 28
:58 4th Quarter

- OU has the ball at their own 34 with 1 timeout and 58 seconds left. Earlier in the game their kicker showed he had the leg for 53 yards but was just off the mark.
- Rajon Henley jumps and gives the Sooners a free 5 yards. 1st and 5 at the OU 39.
- Quentin Chaney catches a pass at midfield and is immediately tackled by Duncan and Reed. 53 seconds and ticking...
- Jamar Wall breaks up a pass intended for Tennell at the 45. 2nd and 10 at midfield. 43 seconds left...clock stops.
- Ruffin dials up a nickel blitz, Bradford breaks the would be tackle of Brent Nickerson and throws the ball away. 3rd and 10...38 seconds left.
- Bradford finds Chaney on a crossing route and he gets down to the Tech 33 yard line. 32 seconds and clock is running.
- With trips to the left, Bradford throws deep to Iglesias at the 15...but it's broken up by McBath. 21 seconds left.
- Bradford tries a screen pass to Murray but FB Matt Clapp is blocked into the pass and it falls incomplete. 3rd and 10...18 seconds left.
- Rajon Henley gets free on 3rd down and levels Sam Bradford as he's throwing. The Sooners recover back at their own 40 yard line but officials review and call it an incomplete pass.
- 4th and 10...15 seconds left. OU is lined up for a 50 yard FG. Tech calls timeout to ice the kicker!
- The kick is up...it's long enough...and it just curves back inside the left upright. The 51 yard FG is good.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 31
:10 4th Quarter

- Harrell completes a pass to Crabtree at the 40 yd line with 1 second left.
- The hail mary pass is batted down and we're on our way to overtime.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 31
OVERTIME

- OU wins the toss and takes the ball first. Strange tactics indeed.
- Pass complete to Iglesias down to the 11.
- Bradford to Murray...touchdown OU.

Texas Tech 31
Oklahoma 38
1st OT

- Harrell...Crabtree on a slant...25 yards...TOUCHDOWN RED RAIDERS!!!

Texas Tech 38
Oklahoma 38
End of 1st OT

- Tech gets the ball first this time.
- Harrell rolls out and finds Adam James for 13 yards down to the OU 12.
- Incomplete to Lewis in the endzone.
- Batch runs for 2 yards.
- Nic Harris knocks down a pass intended for Crabtree.
- Carona misses a FG from the left hash off the right upright!!!

Texas Tech 38
Oklahoma 38
Middle of 2nd OT

- Bradford can't find anybody open and throws it away.
- Bradford underthrows Iglesias on a corner route and it's picked off by Jamar Wall!!!

Texas Tech 38
Oklahoma 38
End of 2nd OT

- Tech wins the coin toss and will go on defense first.
- Bradford on a QB draw for 9 yards.
- Gresham seperates from Marlon Williams and has all day to haul in Bradford's ball in the endzone.
- OU tries a fake handoff to the FB and a pitch to Murray...but Darcel McBath snifs it out and the 2 pt try fails.

Texas Tech 38
Oklahoma 44
Middle of 3rd OT

- Harrell finds Lyle Leong all alone behind the defense for an easy 25 yard TD.
- Trips to the left...Crabtree to the right. Crabtree on a slant...he's got it.

- Your Big 12 South champs...Texas Tech Red Raiders!!!

Texas Tech 46
Oklahoma 44
FINAL

FINAL STATS (Tech...OU)

Total Offense...547...390
Passing Offense...48 of 65 479 yds...15 of 30 236 yds
Rushing Offense...21 carries 68 yds...33 carries 154 yds 1 TD

Graham Harrell - 48 of 65 479 yds 6 TD's 3 INT's (153.9 rating) 5 carries 5 yards
Sam Bradford - 15 of 30 236 yds 3 TD's 3 INT's ( 129 rating) 4 carries 20 yards

Baron Batch - 14 carries 66 yards
Shannon Woods - 2 carries 16 yards
DeMarco Murray - 26 carries 109 yards 1 TD

Michael Crabtree - 16 carries 163 yards 4 TD's
Baron Batch - 7 catches 52 yards
Detron Lewis - 6 catches 42 yards
Tremain Swindall - 4 catches 54 yards
Lyle Leong - 3 catches 55 yards 1 TD
Adam James - 3 catches 30 yards
Eric Morris - 3 catches 27 yards
Shannon Woods - 3 catches 20 yards
Ed Britton - 3 catches 34 yards 1 TD

Quentin Chaney - 4 catches 53 yards
Jermaine Gresham - 4 catches 96 yards 2 TD's
DeMarco Murray - 3 catches 29 yards 1 TD
Manuel Johnson - 3 catches 46 yards
Juaquin Iglesias - 1 catch 12 yards

Marlon Williams - 9 tackles (3 for loss)
Darcel McBath - 8 tackles (2 for loss), 2 pass deflections
Brian Duncan - 7 tackles (1 for loss), 3 pass deflections
Bront Bird - 5 tackles (2 for loss), 1 pass deflection
Rajon Henley - 5 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack

Tech defense - 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 INT's

Bye Week Bonanza

2008-11-15T11:10:00.005-06:00

I'm out picking wedding invitations so I'll make this quick...

Northwestern 20 (+3.5)
Michigan 17

Texas 38 (-14)
Kansas 34

Wake Forest 23 (-3.5)
NC State 17

Baylor 31 (-8)
Texas A&M 30

Missouri 44 (-26.5)
Iowa State 13

USC 45 (-24)
Stanford 10

Oklahoma State 26
Colorado 24 (+18)

SMU 21
UTEP 44 (-14)

I was 3-5 last week which has me at 19-16 I believe so it's time for another winning week.

Live from Winston-Salem...

2008-11-08T10:00:00.005-06:00

It's time for my weekly picks. I'm out in Winston-Salem for the Wake Forest homecoming game vs Virginia...but don't worry as I'll be watching the Red Raiders run all over the T Boones from Stillwater later tonight. I don't have an exact count in front of me but I believe I'm 16-11 ATS on the picks I've posted here. So follow me to the bank...or to bankruptcy court! ;)

Ohio State 20
Northwestern 17 (+11)

Texas 47 (-27)
Baylor 13

Georgia Tech 23 (+4...maybe play the moneyline???)
North Carolina 20

Kansas 31 (+1.5)
Nebraska 26

Oklahoma 42
Texas A&M 24 (+27)

Wake Forest 20 (-3)
Virginia 14

Texas Tech 40 (-3.5)
Oklahoma State 34

Alabama 24 (-3.5)
LSU 14

Texas Tech vs Oklahoma State - Simulation

2008-11-06T13:19:00.005-06:00

With clear skies and cool weather...we bring you this great matchup between the #2 Texas Tech Red Raiders and the #9 Oklahoma State Cowboys. Herbstreit feels this game will come down to the play of OSU's QB Zac Robinson.

The Cowboys win the toss and defer to the 2nd half so Texas Tech will get the ball first in this one...

- Ed Britton opens things up by taking the kickoff back to the Texas Tech 39 yard line where Graham Harrell and company will take over.
- Harrell has found Adam James twice on the opening drive and the Red Raiders are in the red zone for the first time today.
- In methodical fashion, Texas Tech goes 59 yards in 10 plays and finishes off the drive with Harrell finding Crabtree at the goal line from 6 yds out for a Red Raider TOUCHDOWN!!!

Texas Tech 7
Oklahoma State 0
11:30 1st Quarter

- Tech's defense starts very strong again. This time it's a quick 3 and out and they get the ball back to the offense at the Tech 44 after a 13 yd punt return from Eric Morris.

- Harrell has started this game 10 for 10 but can't quite squeeze a deep ball into Ed Britton at the OSU 25 and his completion streak ends there. Tech still in business though inside the OSU 40.
- On 4th and 1 at the OSU 27, Harrell audibles into a run and Baron Batch gets 11 yds down to the 16 yd line.

- Eric Morris splits 2 defenders and weasels his way down to the 4 yd line to set up 1st and goal.
- On 2nd and goal, Baron Batch gets into the endzone from a yard out for another Texas Tech touchdown!!!

Texas Tech 14
Oklahoma State 0
4:40 1st Quarter

- On a pass intended for Dez Bryant, LA Reed makes a great break off his man and knocks the ball to the turf. 3rd and long coming up for the Cowboys.

- Dez Bryant gets in the stat book but comes up 2 yds short thanks to a nice Marlon Williams tackle. The Red Raiders take over at their own 27 yd line after a fair catch from EMo.

- With a 9 yd completion to Baron Batch, Harrell has now gone over 100 yards in the first half.
- On 1st and 10 at the OSU 49, the Pokes try to get to Harrell with a CB blitz, but instead he finds Detron Lewis on a deep post with no safety back to help...TOUCHDOWN RED RAIDERS!!!

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma State 0
0:25 1st Quarter

- The Cowboys move the ball to their own 34 and we're at the end of the first quarter.

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma State 0
2nd Quarter

- On 4th and 2 at their own 49, the Cowboys pitch to Hunter, he breaks a poor arm tackle by Jamar Wall at midfield and scampers down to the Tech 30 yd line before Taylor Charbonnet comes over to knock him out of bounds.

- This time it's 4th and 1 at the Tech 21 and the Pokes go for it again. Hunter takes the toss, makes a defender miss, the game glitches out (see video below) and he goes untouched into the endzone.

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma State 7
11:54 2nd Quarter

- Tech is driving down the field again but this time Harrell is picked off on a deep fade to Lyle Leong and the Cowboys take over at their own 22 yd line.

- A few first downs for the Cowboys via the run game but they give the ball back to the Red Raiders at the Texas Tech 31.

- Crabtree gets held up by his own man on a crossing route and the Cowboys easily pick off the pass. They're back in business at their own 42.
- On first down, the screen pass fools everybody in the stadium and they're in Tech territory at the 31 yd line.
- It only takes 1 more play as Hunter goes 31 yards off right tackle to paydirt.

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma State 14
1:17 2nd Quarter

- Tech is trying to get down and score before the half, but the PS3 likes INT's and Harrell is picked off for a 3rd time on what should've been an easy completion to Tremain Swindall. Nonetheless, the Cowboys take over at midfield with 28 seconds left.

- Zac Robinson finds Dez Bryant deep over the middle but he's tackled at the Tech 9 and the Pokes will have to attempt a short FG.
- The FG is good...but there's holding on the play and the clock is now at 0:00. Penalty accepted and 3 points come off the board for OSU.

Texas Tech 21
Oklahoma State 14
HALFTIME

Noteable Stats
- Graham Harrell is 23 of 30 for 225 yds 2 TD's and 3 INT's
- Michael Crabtree has 6 catches for 45 yds and 1 TD. 8 other WR's have catches and 6 of them have at least 2 catches.
- Baron Batch has 9 carries for 40 yds and 1 TD
- Daniel Charbonnet has 6 tackles and 1 pass deflection
- Darcel McBath has 5 tackles and 2 pass deflections
- Brandon Williams has 4 tackles including 2 for a loss.
- Zac Robinson is 10 of 14 for 85 yds. He also has 13 yds on 3 carries.
- Kendall Hunter has 10 rushes for 87 yds and 2 TD's. He also has 4 catches for 37 yards.
- Dez Bryant has 1 catch for 19 yards.

---3rd Quarter---

- Bryant returns the kick to the 30 yd line and that's where the Cowboys will start their drive.
- On the first play, Robinson goes play action and tries to find Bryant on a deep crossing route. However, Brian Duncan gets between him and the pass and intercepts it at the 35 before returning it to the OSU 29 yd line.

- One play...one pass to Crabtree...TOUCHDOWN Red Raiders!!!

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 28
Oklahoma State 14
14:26 3rd Quarter

- This time it looks like a miscommunication between Robinson and Bryant. Dez breaks to the outside, the pass is thrown to the inside, and Jamar Wall catches it at the 34 and there's nobody between him and the endzone!!!

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 35
Oklahoma State 14
14:04 3rd Quarter

- Tech with another beautiful drive that finds them in the red zone once again. This time on 3rd and short from the 6, Harrell fakes a handoff to Woods and jogs into the endzone untouched.

Texas Tech 42
Oklahoma State 14
8:27 3rd Quarter

- Okie Lite is moving the ball but on 3rd and 7 from the Tech 42, McKinner Dixon gets to Robinson for the Red Raiders first sack of the day.
- The punt is killed at the 2 yd line and the Red Raiders will be working with a lot of green ahead of them.

- On the first play, Baron Batch is almost tackled in the endzone but he breaks a tackle and gets out to the 21 yd line.
- Tech is putting together another very solid drive (14 plays and counting) and they're once again down inside the OSU 20.
- The Red Raiders now face a 4th and 3 at the OSU 7 as we reach the end of the 3rd quarter

---4th Quarter---

- This isn't a problem though as Matt "Lynwood" Williams comes on and calmly kicks a 24 yd FG.

Texas Tech 45
Oklahoma State 14
14:57 4th Quarter

- The Cowboys finally show a little bit of quick strike potential as they go 60 yds in 3 plays and Robinson finds Artrell Woods for a 31 yd TD down the right sideline.

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 45
Oklahoma State 21
14:04 4th Quarter

- The Air Raid moves the ball to the 45 yd line but the drive stalls and they give it back to the Pokes at their own 32 with just under 12 minutes left.
- Robinson finds Woods for a long gain to the Tech 43 yd line. However, he's tackled from behind by Darcel McBath and goes off the field with a sprained ankle. His return is doubtful.
- Kendall Hunter with another nice run down to the Tech 15. I don't have the exact number in front of me but he has to be somewhere around 125 yds on the day.
- On 4th and 4 from the 8, Robinson breaks what would be a Colby Whitlock sack and finds a wide open Kendall Hunter for a TD on a busted play.
- The Pokes go for 2 but LA Reed stops Hunter in the backfield before he ever makes the corner.

Texas Tech 45
Oklahoma State 27
6:50 4th Quarter

- The Red Raiders recover the onside kick and will look to milk some clock here.
- On the 3rd down, Batch takes the option pitch from Harrell and runs 20+ yards down to the OSU 21.
- After 2 runs are stopped in the backfield, Harrell finds Detron Lewis on a corner route and he beats the defender to the pylon. TOUCHDOWN RED RAIDERS!!!

Texas Tech 52
Oklahoma State 27
2:58 4th Quarter

- The Cowboys can't do anything else with the ball and turn it over on downs with just over a minute left.
- Texas Tech runs out the clock and this game is OVER!!!

Texas Tech 52
Oklahoma State 27
FINAL

FINAL STATS (Tech...OSU)

Total Offense...525...391
Passing Offense...39 of 50 373 yds 4 TD's 3 INT's...21 of 29 233 yds 2 TD's 2 INT's
Rushing Offense...28 carries 152 yds 2 TD's...27 carries 158 yds 2 TD's

Graham Harrell - 39 of 50 373 yds 4 TD's 3 INT's (155 rating) 3 carries 31 yards 1 TD
Zac Robinson - 21 of 29 233 yds 2 TD's 2 INT's (148.8 rating) 5 carries 13 yards

Baron Batch - 18 carries 101 yards 1 TD
Shannon Woods - 7 carries 20 yards
Kendall Hunter - 17 carries 140 yards 2 TD's

Michael Crabtree - 9 catches 86 yds 2 TD's
Detron Lewis - 5 catches 83 yds 2 TD's
Eric Morris - 5 catches 44 yds
Adam James - 5 catches 39 yds
Britton, Batch, Woods, Swindall, and Leong - 15 catches 121 yds

Kendall Hunter - 7 catches 44 yds 1 TD
Artrell Woods - 4 catches 74 yds 1 TD
Brandon Pettigrew - 3 catches 37 yds
Dez Bryant - 3 catches 29 yds

Daniel Charbonnet (played 80% of game as nickel back) - 12 tackles 1 pass deflection
Darcel McBath - 8 tackles 2 pass deflections
L.A. Reed - 7 tackles (1 for loss) 2 pass deflections
Brian Duncan - 6 tackles (2 for loss) 1 INT, 1 pass deflection
McKinner Dixon 4 - tackles (3 for loss) 1 sack

Tech defense - 8 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 INT's, 1 defensive TD

Another week of football...another week of picks

2008-10-31T11:32:00.004-05:00

5-4 last week puts me at 10-7 for picks posted on here this season (yeah...only been doing it here for 2 weeks). Anyways...thought I'd sneak this in early before heading off to Lubbock in a little while:

Central Michigan 24 (+2)
Indiana 21

Virginia 20 (-2.5)
Miami 17

Kansas 47 (-9)
Kansas State 35

Texas A&M 27 (-4)
Colorado 17

Missiouri 45 (-21)
Baylor 21

Wake Forest 20 (-7.5)
Duke 7

Florida 44
Georgia 38 (+7)

Florida State 20 (+3.5)
Georgia Tech 21

USC 66 (-46)
Washington 13

Texas Tech 41 (+4)
Texas 38

Texas Tech vs Texas - Simulation

2008-10-30T16:19:00.004-05:00

The weather is perfect, the boys are in black, and it's the game we've all been waiting for!!!

#1 Texas vs #6 Texas Tech

Kirk Herbstreit comments that a game like this will come down to whomever steps up and makes big plays and tonight Micheal Crabtree will be that guy.

The Longhorns win the coin toss and will have the ball first to start the game...

- Quan Cosby takes the opening kick out to the Texas 48 yd line but Vondrell McGee is called for clipping and the Horns will start the drive at their own 21.
- The Longhorns get a first down on the drive but Colt McCoy is stopped a yard shy of another one by McKinner Dixon and the Horns are forced to punt. Texas Tech takes over at their own 36 after a 10 yd return from Eric Morris.

- The results are much different for the Red Raiders as they get a first down but a drive is cut down as Brian Orakpo gets to Graham Harrell on 3rd down to force a punt.
- On 4th down, Jonathan LaCour shanks a punt off his foot and the Longhorns take over at midfield.

- With nobody open, Colt McCoy tries to force a deep ball into Shipley but Darcel McBath steps in the way of the pass for an interception at the 8 and returns it out to the TT 27 yd line.

Texas Tech 0
Texas 0
7:24 1st Quarter

- 3 and out for the Red Raiders. Both teams are playing good defense early on as neither QB is having much time to go through his progression.

- McKinner Dixon with back to back tackles of McGee and Whitaker in the backfield to make it 3rd and 15. However, on 3rd down he hits McCoy late and gives the Horns a 1st down when they would've had to punt.
- 3 straight passes to Shipley...3 straight first downs and a trip to the redzone.
- Tech's defense comes up big though and forces the Horns to try a field goal.

Texas Tech 0
Texas 0
END OF FIRST QUARTER

- On the first play of the 2nd quarter, the Longhorns attempt a 35 yd FG from the right hash but Lawrence bounces the kick off the left upright but it just falls over the crossbar.

Texas Tech 0
Texas 3
14:54 2nd Quarter

- Under tremendous pressure on 2nd and long at their own 44, Graham Harrell rolls out to pass...

and finds Michael Crabtree down inside the 5 yard line to set the Red Raiders up with a 1st and goal at the 2.

- Harrell to Crabtree...touchdown Red Raiders!!!

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 7
Texas 3
11:44 2nd Quarter

- dink and dunk and dink and dunk and INTERCEPTION Jamar Wall!!! 54 yards...Touchdown Red Raiders!

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 14
Texas 3
8:38 2nd Quarter

- Another Longhorn drive that games 30 or so yards...another Red Raider INT. This time it's L.A. Reed going up and making the pick at the Texas Tech 37 yd line.

- Harrell and company waste no time in moving down the field and in 3 plays they're down inside the Texas 30 yd line.

- 4 Baron Batch carries...29 Baron Batch yards...1 Texas Tech touchdown!

Texas Tech 21
Texas 3
1:07 2nd Quarter

- At the end of the 1st half the Longhorns try a 57 yd FG but it's wide right.

Texas Tech 21
Texas 3
HALF

Noteable Stats
- Graham Harrell is 10 of 15 for 114 yds and 1 TD
- Michael Crabtree has 3 receptions for 53 yds and 1 TD
- Baron Batch has 7 carries for 37 yds and 1 TD
- Brandon Sesay has 2 tackles, 1 QB sack, 2 tackle for loss, and 1 INT
- Darcel McBath has 6 tackles, 1 INT, and 2 pass deflections
- The Swarm has 6 tackles for loss, 3 INT's, and 1 TD.
- Colt McCoy is 11 of 17 for 95 yds and 3 INT's

---3rd Quarter---

- On 3rd and 10, Baron Batch takes a screen pass at his own 22 and runs all the way down to the Texas 16 yard line.
- First and goal at the 1 yd line, Tech fakes the inside run and Harrell rolls out to pass. He's got Lyle Leong open but Gideon steps in front of the pass and takes it back to the UT 7 yd line.

Texas Tech 21
Texas 3
11:42 3rd Quarter

- McCoy gets the Longhorns out to the 35 yd line but the drive stalls and they have to punt.

- Harrell and Batch lead the team down to the Texas 30 but a costly interception at the 10 yd line on a ball intended for Crabtree ends the drive. Same score...3:49 left in 3rd quarter.

- This is just a weird play...Colt tries to running, there is holding on the play, then Colt tries to throw...and Jamar Wall takes it back 30 yds for a TD.

Texas Tech 28
Texas 3
2:21 3rd Quarter

- Texas goes 3 and out and Tech gets the ball back before the end of the 3rd quarter.

- In 5 plays, the Air Raid gets down to the 22 yd line at the end of the 3rd.

---4th Quarter---

- The Red Raiders line up for a 39 yd FG attempt to start the 4th quarter. Unfortunately, Donnie Carona misses wide right and the Longhorns take over.
- Texas goes 3 and out and gives the ball back to Tech with about 11 minutes left. However, Tech goes 3 and out as well and then LaCour shanks another punt (for some reason I can't punt all of a sudden) and the Horns have the ball at the TT 30 with about 10:24 left on the clock.

- After a sack of McCoy on 1st down, Colt finds Ogbonnaya in the flats, he breaks a tackle and goes 33 yards for the Texas touchdown.

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Texas Tech 28
Texas 10
9:52 4th Quarter

- Wow...a surprise onside kick and the Horns get it back at midfield!!!

- 12 yd run for McGee and then an 18 yd pass has them down to the 20 yd line.
- McCoy finds Malcolm Williams on a deep post for another Texas TD. 2 pt conversion is good and we've got ourselves a ball game!

Texas Tech 28
Texas 18
8:48 4th Quarter

- Harrell gets too much air under a ball to Morris on a deep crossing route and it's picked off. Texas in business at the TT 47 yd line.

- Tech's defense forces a 4th and 1 but Vondrell McGee JUST gets past the marker to keep the Longhorns in business with under 6 minutes to go.
- On 3rd and short, McCoy rolls out and finds the TE formerly known as Blaine Irby down at the Tech 2 yd line and it's 1st and goal with under 3 minutes left.

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

- It only takes 1 more play as Ogbonnaya takes it in from 2 yards out.

Texas Tech 28
Texas 25
2:08 4th Quarter

- Texas Tech will start at their own 27 yd line with a 3 pt lead and 1:58 left on the clock. Both teams still have all of their timeouts.
- Two runs and a short pass and the Red Raiders will give the ball back to the Longhorns with just over a minute left and Texas still having 1 timeout.
-LaCour gets off a great punt this time and Texas has to call for a fair catch with 1:07 left on the clock and the ball at the Texas 24 yd line.

- Poor clock management by McCoy and Mack combined with great pressure from Tech's defensive line...and the Horns don't even sniff field goal range. Jamar Wall bats down the final pass of the game at the 20 yd line and this one is in the books...

Texas Tech 28
Texas 25
FINAL

FINAL STATS (Tech...Texas)

Total Offense...400...417
Passing Offense...28 of 41 344 yds 1 TD 3 INT's...38 of 49 375 yds 2 TD's 4 INT's
Rushing Offense...18 carries 81 yds 1 TD...33 carries 52 yds 1 TD's

Graham Harrell - 28 of 41 344 yds 1 TD 3 INT's
Colt McCoy - 38 of 49 375 yds 2 TD's 4 INT's

Baron Batch - 17 carries 76 yards 1 TD
Vondrell McGee - 19 carries 28 yards

Baron Batch - 7 catches 115 yds
Michael Crabtree - 7 catches 102 yds 1 TD
Shannon Woods - 5 catches 72 yds
Eric Morris - 5 catches 44 yds

Jordan Shipley - 9 catches 81 yds
Vondrell McGee - 6 catches 56 yds
Quan Cosby - 8 catches 68 yds

Brian Duncan - 12 tackles (3 TFL) 1 sack
Jamar Wall - 7 tackles (2 TFL) 1 sack 2 INT's 2 TD's
Marlon Williams - 8 tackles (4 TFL)
McKinner Dixon - 7 tackles (3 TFL) 1 sack

Tech Defense - 16 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 4 INT's, 2 TD's

I like numbers...breaking down Tech vs Texas

2008-10-27T16:32:00.002-05:00

NOTE: All numbers are for Big 12 Conference play only

Let's play with numbers for a few minutes kids:

Scoring Offense:
Texas Tech - 50.2 pts (1st)
Texas - z41.8 pts (3rd)

Rush Offense:
Texas Tech - 130.5 yds (7th)
Texas - 161.5 yds (3rd)

Pass Offense:
Texas Tech - 410.5 yds (1st)
Texas - 329.5 yds (3rd)

Total Offense:
Texas Tech - 541 yds (2nd)
Texas - 491 yds (3rd)

Pass Efficiency:
Texas Tech - 175.7 (1st)
Texas - 174.9 (2nd)

Offensive 3rd Down Conversion %:
Texas Tech - 66.0% (1st)
Texas - 65.5% (2nd)

Red Zone Offense:
Texas Tech - 90% overall and 80% TD's (11 rush TD's and 13 pass TD's)...(2nd)
Texas - 87.5% overall and 75% TD's (13 rush TD's and 5 pass TD's)...(5th)

Time of Possession:
Texas Tech - 30:12 or 50.33% of game (4th)
Texas - 36:02 or 60.o6% of game (2nd)

Offensive Category Totals:
Texas Tech Offensive Aggregate - 19
Texas Offensive Aggregate - 23

Survey Says...Texas Tech by 4

Scoring Defense:
Texas Tech - 26.2 pts (4th)
Texas - 26.0 pts (3rd)

Rush Defense:
Texas Tech - 102 yds (3rd)
Texas - 86 yds (1st)

Pass Defense:
Texas Tech - 245 yds (2nd)
Texas - 280.2 yds (5th)

Total Defense:
Texas Tech - 347 yds (1st)
Texas - 366.2 yds (3rd)

Defensive Pass Efficiency:
Texas Tech - 133.2 (2nd)
Texas - 145.7 (5th)

Sacks:
Texas Tech - 9 (3rd)
Texas - 13 (2nd)

Defensive 3rd Down Conversion %:
Texas Tech - 43.8% (3rd)
Texas - 44.4% (5th)

Red Zone Defense:
Texas Tech - 92.9% overall and 71.4% TD's (9th)
Texas - 81.2% overall and 68.8% TD's (5th)

Defensive Category Totals:
Texas Tech Defensive Aggregate - 27
Texas Deffensive Aggregate - 29

Survey Says...Texas Tech by 2

Now take away from this what you will...and by Saturday night the only number that will matter is on the scoreboard. Also remember that UT's competition over the first 4 games has been better...but don't forget that 3 of Texas Tech's 4 games were on the road including 2 trips up to Kansas.

Carry On Our Wayward Raiders...

2008-10-25T09:54:00.004-05:00

and leave no peace in Kansas when you are done! I've got a few minutes before heading to a christening at 10:30...so let's throw a few picks out there. I was 5-3 last week if memory serves me right so hopefully dumb luck will hit me again. All lines are as of this morning:

Texas Tech 42 (-1)
Kansas 34

Minnesota 27 (-2.5)
Purdue 21

Boston College 21
North Carolina 34 (-2.5)

Central Michigan 34 (-4)
Toledo 23

Nebraska 34
Baylor 24 (+14)

Texas 45 (-12)
Oklahoma State 28

TCU 24
Wyoming 14 (+31)

Alabama 17
Tennessee 14 (+6)

USC 34
Arizona 20 (+14)

A&M drive-by...

2008-10-18T10:27:00.003-05:00

Thought I'd throw out a few picks (with the game spread listed next to the team I'd play) before the game gets started:

Texas Tech 42
Texas A&M 24 (+21)

Wake Forest 23 (-1.5)
Maryland 16

Oklahoma State 47 (-17)
Baylor 24

Oklahoma 45 (-19.5)
Kansas 21

Buffalo 17
Army 10 (+11)

Penn State 38
Michigan 14 (+25)

Texas 41 (-4.5)
Missouri 31

Arizona 31 (+3)
Cal 27

a W is a W...

2008-10-11T17:23:00.000-05:00

is a...

Texas Tech 37
Nebraska 31

The last time Nebraska came to Lubbock...

2008-10-10T14:51:00.002-05:00

this happened...

Here's to another Husker beating in 2008!

My prediction:

Texas Tech 48
Nebraska 24

Big 12 Roundtable, Week 5

2008-10-02T09:14:00.003-05:00

Well I'm waiting on a call back to fix my main work application...so I've got a few minutes to say hello to those in the blogosphere. I'll get things started today with my thoughts from this week's Big 12 Roundtable, courtesy of the fine folks over at Burnt Orange Nation:

1.

#7 Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0)

Opponent
Result

Eastern Washington
W, 49-24

@ Nevada
W,35-19

SMU
W,43-7

Massachusetts
W, 56-14

Offensive MVP: Shannon Woods, RB and Baron Batch - Woods has seen himself go from multi-year starter, to scout team, to off the team, to graduating in 3 years, to back on the team, and back to the starter role...all in less than a year. He saw most of the carries in the first 2 games but Baron Batch has continued to show that he's healthy and ready to run and has seen increased carries. The 2 have combined for 515 yds on 75 carries (6.9 ypc) and 9 TD's through the first 4 games. Woods is the better inside runner (and the #1 pass blocker) and gets most of the goal line touches (see his 7 TD's) but Batch is a great spark off the bench and in 2-back sets that is a threat to create a big play every time he touches the ball (9.1 yards per touch). If the Red Raiders are make a serious run at the Big 12 title this year, it will be in large part thanks to the running backs for keeping defenses honest against the Air Raid.

Defensive MVP: McKinner Dixon and Brandon Williams, DEs - For a team that failed to get pressure the QB under former DC Lyle Setencich, Dixon and BWill have been set free with Coach Ruff at the helm. Combining for 8 sacks so far, they lead an improved Red Raider D-line that is finally 1) pressuring the QB and 2) allowing the LB's to make plays (2 of the top 3 tacklers are LB's which didn't happen in recent years). The defense exhibited a bend but don't break mentality as the offense struggled at Nevada...and they'll need to have AT LEAST that same mentality against the immensely talented offenses in the Big 12 if the Red Raiders are to win 10+ games this year.

Big 12 Schedule - at Kansas State, vs Nebraska, at Texas A&M, at Kansas, vs Texas, vs Oklahoma State, at Oklahoma, vs Baylor.

Projected Big 12 Finish: 6-2, 2nd, South Division - Tech will start the Big 12 3-0 and demolish the aggies at Kyle Field. However, the 2-6 post-Aggie slump will move to 2-7 as they fall 34-30 at Kansas. After a decisive 45-31 victory over Texas in Lubbock...they'll find themselves at 9-1 and ranked #6 in the country as they travel to Norman. Win this game...and you're booking a ticket to Kansas City. Unfortunately, the Sooners step up big with 10 points in the 4th Quarter and win this won 31-24 on a late Bradford to Johnson TD pass.

2. This might be the best offense that the Pokes have had since Rashaun Woods (one of the Top 3 college WR's I've ever seen) was leading them to the Cotton Bowl. They're #1 in rushing, #3 in scoring and #4 in pass efficiency. One thing that's overlooked is that their defense is 42nd in the country (5th in the conference). At this same point last year, they were 101st in the nation and 10th in the conference. Attribute that to whatever you want, but the Cowboys are definitely a team of interest in the Big 12 South and won't be an easy out for anybody. Unfortunately, they play @ Mizzou, @ Texas, and @ Texas Tech before finish with the Sooners at home...so their schedule will likely be their downfall this year.

3. Bob Stoops. Unlike any other coach in the Big 12, he KNOWS how to win Big 12 Championships. Also, he's been able to continually reinvent his team to fit his personell. Leach used to work under him at OU and Seth Littrell (RB Coach) is a former team captain for OU's MNC team of 2000, so he'll have some familiarity with the offensive scheme and somebody on the coaching staff. Now just give us back Leach for the BCS game! :)

4. I'm torn between Daniel and Bradford. Daniel is definitely a better leader and has spent a lot more time in a spread offense that has taken a few pages out of the TT playbook so despite my personal disdain for him, I'd have to go with Daniel.

5. You see I'm torn here...because I'm really not a fan of the 2008 ACL lineup. Can I choose from the 04 or 05 lineup maybe? Ok, I'll go with Eli Young Band. They're fairly new to the scene but for those tied in with the Texas Music (Country/Rock...call it whatever) scene then you've known of them for a while now. They've made the rounds and continued to earn respect throughout the industry. They're latest album (Jet Black & Jealous was released in Mid-September...so go pickup a copy) is a big step in them becoming a player on the national stage. However, they're not quite there yet. At the end of the day, their music is too good to not catch on across the country so they'll have their day in the sun soon enough.

6. Answer all of the following in no more than two sentences:

(A) Conference's best quarterback? Sam Bradford makes it look too easy. Chase Daniel and Graham Harrell make you wonder how the hell they didn't end up playing for one of the Big Boys in college football.
(B) Conference's best offense? Missouri. Maclin and Daniel bring the star power but TE Chase Coffman steals the show.
(C) Big 12 South winner? Oklahoma
(D) Big 12 North winner? Missouri
(E) Big 12 champion? Oklahoma. Until Mizzou's defense shows that they could do anything to slow down the boomers, I'm going to stick with the safe pick.
(F) Big 12 team you would adopt as your favorite if forced to abandon your own? Nebraska if I wanted to go out of state. Texas because it would make things MUCH easier for me on the homefront! ;)
(G) One prediction that might surprise the rest of us? A&M WILL beat Baylor...damn it I can't lie to myself like that just for the sake of creating a surprise. I'll go with this...Texas will give up 100+ points between the OU and Mizzou games.

Texas Tech vs SMU - Simulation

2008-09-13T13:53:00.003-05:00

Well this has been a frustrating time trying to put this game together. Even with Ike just barely reaching Dallas...my power has flickered off/on a few times and it's just enough for the PS3 to cut off. I've run 2 simulations of the game...and the furthest I got was Tech 22 SMU 3 middle of the 2nd quarter. I went ahead and ran a full "quick sim" of the game (one w/o pics) and I came up with a final of Texas Tech 59 SMU 13. I like that pick as it covers the spread, puts the game over 69 points, and it means that Tech probably had a good day on offense so maybe the fans will stop their bickering for at least 1 day.

Ok...off to have a few beers, root for my picks, and get ready for another romp of the Ponies.

Below is what I blogged from the simulation when my power cut off:

The temperatures are in the low 60's, the rain is coming down hard, the wind is out of the southeast at 15 mph...so let's play some football! Much like the last time SMU and Texas Tech met up in Lubbock (2006), the weather is less than desirable for this matchup. The Red Raiders come in as the heavy favorite, with the Vegas line currently having them at 37 point favorites. Personally, I'm setting the # of passes between the two teams at over 100. Something tells me that's a safe number. SMU will get the ball to start the game so let's get to it...

1st Quarter

- The Ponies have definitely taken a play out of the Eastern Washington playbook asthey've come out throwing all sorts of screens and hitches as Mitchell stars the game 6 of 7 and leads the Ponies into the endzone. Wait...holding on DeMyron Martin and now it's 1st and goal at the Texas Tech 20.

- On 3rd and goal from the 12, Marlon Williams breaks up a pass to an otherwise wide open WR and Mustangs settle for a FG.

SMU 3 Texas Tech 0 10:52 1st Quarter

-I know it's random, but Kirk Herbstreit commented that, "This (Texas Tech) offense has been waiting all week to get back out on the field and show what they're made of." A nice, subtle reference to the Nevada game.

- SMU brings a lot of pressure on Tech's first drive and while they don't get to Harrell...he can't get in an early rhythm and it's 3 and out for the Air Raid. SMU takes over at their own 25 after a nice punt.

(EDITORS NOTE: Despite my best efforts, the game keeps lining up Jamar Wall at slot WR instead of Detron Lewis. I've decided to take over control of the offense and this keeps Wall out of the game. The defense will still be played by the CPU.)

- This time the Air Raid moves right down the field in 6 plays and Harrell finishes off the drive with a 10 yd TD pass to Adam James.

(picture)

Texas Tech 7 SMU 3 6:04 1st

- Brandon Sesay is playing like a man possessed early on. He and Rajon Henley are beating their opponent on a consistent basis and have been VERY close to getting to the QB.

- On 3rd and long, Daniel Charbonnet steps in front of a Bo Levi Mitchell pass and Texas Tech takes over at the SMU 23 yard line after a nice return.

- 3 pass completions later...and Graham Harrell hooks up with Shannon Woods from 7 yds out for another touchdown.

(picture)

Texas Tech 14 SMU 3 2:10 1st Quarter

- This time Sesay bats Mitchell's pass up in the air but he can't hol on to the ball for the INT and it falls harmelessly to the ground.

- SMU is driving again and Mitchell is 13 of 19 for 121 yds and 1 INT at the end of the 1st Quarter. To compare, Harrell is 10 of 11 for 97 yds and 2 TD's.

2nd Quarter

- Somebody must've run the wrong route because the only guy within 10 yards of where Mitchell threw this pass was Brian Duncan.

(video)

- Just like last game, Harrell finds Michael Crabtree for a long TD pass. This one is good for 71 yards. A bad snap on the extra point...but Potts picks it up and finds Adam James wide open for the 2 point conversion.

Texas Tech 22 SMU 3 12:21 2nd Quarter

- After another failed SMU drive, Tech takes over in good field position. Unfortunately, Shannon Woods is hurt on the first play of the drive (bruised ankle) and the Red Raiders go 3 and out.

- Brian Duncan and Daniel Charbonnet ALMOST get in to block a punt but the ball is just out of reach...

(picture)

Navigating the High Seas of Lubbock

2008-09-12T16:20:00.003-05:00

For those that aren't aware...they've had a good bit of rain in Lubbock the last few days. So much in fact that Coach Leach decided to break out his pirate ship to view the situation.

Rest assured though that the water will be gone by 6PM tomorrow.

I had some trouble with picture uploading for the SMU sim game. I'll have it up either tonight or tomorrow before the game.

Nevada Game Recap

2008-09-09T14:33:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately...I don't really have much of one this time around. I was at the Rangers/Red Sox derby for the first half of the game and was only able to listen parts of the 3rd and 4th quarter on the radio (when it wasn't cutting out) so I don't have too many direct thoughts on this one. Here are the consensus thoughts I've taken from reading up on the game the last few days:

Graham Harrell had his worst game ever. I think that's a fairly safe and accurate statement to make. (Some could argue that he had a worse game vs TCU 2 years ago but I think more of his mistakes that day were attributed to TCU's defense instead of his own poor performance.) Including the Nevada game, Harrell has had 4 games in which he completed less than 65% of his passes. Oddly enough, they've all been on the road (he did complete exactly 65% vs Northwestern St last year in a 75-7 romp). Here's how Tech fared in those games:

9/16/06 TCU 12 Texas Tech 3...23 of 47 (48.9%) for 204 yds 0 TD 0 INT's
11/11/06 OU 34 Texas Tech 24...26 of 48 (54.2%) for 250 yds 2 TD's 1 INT
10/20/07 Missouri 41 Texas Tech 10...44 of 69 (63.5%) for 397 yds 1 TD 4 INT's
9/6/08 Texas Tech 35 Nevada 19...19 of 46 (41.3%) for 297 yds 1 TD 2 INT's

So looking at these numbers, we see that in games where Harrell has previously performed "below par" (he's completed 68.7% for his career at Texas Tech) that the Red Raiders don't come out on top. However, something changed in Reno on Saturday. Tech finally won a game in which Graham performed poorly. So now let's try to find the "how the hell did they pull this off" answer:

Possible Reasons for Victory

~~Jon Bible was officiating the game.~~ Nevermind...
The defense played a great game. Well yes...and no. Any time you give up 488 yds of offense it's hard to say that it was a "great game." However, when a team is 3 of 5 in red zone scoring opportunities and can only muster 9 points, then it's safe to say that defense stepped up when it had to. For the first time in a long time...Tech's defense exemplified a "bend but don't break" mentality. They allowed plenty of yards all over the field but once Nevada got close to the end zone, then the defense held strong and forced a fumble at the goal line and intercepted a pass.
The offense ran the ball effectively. For the second game in a row, Tech ran for over 100 yards as a team. The 22 carries allowed the Air Raid to chew up some much needed clock (they only held the ball for 23 minutes) and keep Nevada's defense on edge. On the season, Tech is 88th nationally in rush offense at 113.5 ypg, 1 spot (and yard) ahead of aggie...and on 27 fewer carries. By comparison, Tech was 119th (aka dead last) in 2007 with 59.3 ypg and only 3.13 ypc (vs 4.83 ypc this year). Also, Tech is running the ball 6 times more per game this season.
~~Leach's superior play calling abilities overcame Harrell's poor performance.~~ Sorry...forgot about the multiple failed 4th down plays INSIDE TECH's 30 YARD LINE!!!

A few other miscellaneous thoughts that I'll toss in at the end:

- Donnie Carona has now had 3 kicks (2 FG, 1 XP) blocked in his first 2 games. Some might argue that the kick protection is poor...but Carona's kick are still coming off too low and this definitely increases the chance of them being batted down (just like Harrell's low balls to WR's over the middle thrown between/over lineman). DC definitely has the leg to be a great kicker but maybe it's time to give Cory Fowler a few shots so that Leach has more confidence in his kicking game before conference starts. The last thing anybody needs is to lose a game like Mizzou last year when Leach keeps going for it instead of allowing a kicker to try a long FG...and Leach had every reason to have faith in Trlica's kicking ability last year too.

- Eric Morris returned a punt 86 yards for a TD in the 1st quarter. This is the first punt return TD for Texas Tech since Danny Amendola accomplished the feat in 2004 @ Kansas State.

- Brandon Williams had sacks on back to back plays. McKinner Dixon recorded 1.5 sacks. The team now has 7 sacks (9th in the country) in 2008. They only had 26 in 2007 (64th in the country).

- Tech's defense is averaging 6.5 tackles for a loss in 2008. They averaged 6 in 2007. While that doesn't sound like a big difference...the yardage gain (or lost for the offense) is significantly better this season. In 2007, Tech generated 25.1 ypg on plays that went for negative yardage...or 4.12 yards lost per play. In 2008, Tech has generated 41.5 ypg on plays that lost yards...or 6.38 yards lost per play. With this info is from a limited sample, we can already see what difference Ruffin McNeill's defense is making in 2008. For comparative purposes, the 2005 defense that went to the Cotton Bowl averaged 4.58 tackles for a loss at only 3.69 yards lost per play. Great job Coach Ruff. Keep up the good work!

Ok that about wraps up my thoughts on Nevada. Tune in tomorrow (hopefully) for the Tech vs SMU NCAA 09 Simulation. I'm going to start jacking with the depth chart in the game (i.e. - remove LA Reed, keep Jamar Wall from showing up at WR) to try and generate as real of a simulation as is possible. I'm also tweaking the game's AI some to create a "real outcome" with a sample size of 1. Until tomorrow...enjoy this:

Thoughts for Saturday/Nevada/etc

2008-09-06T11:54:00.002-05:00

I'm not as worried about this game as I should be. Maybe I'm crazy...but I think Tech wins this one with a nice margin of victory.

Texas Tech 41
Nevada 21

Now on to other more exciting things...

Mr Crabtree has shown up on Youtube again. This time in a workout video. It looks like a piece for Gameday later this year but there's no way to tell just yet. Maybe this means Gameday is considering a trip to Lubbock for the Texas game!

For the betting folks today...here's who I'm playing:

Texas -27
Tulsa -22
ECU - 8

That's all I've got on a Saturday. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RAIDERS!!!

Crabtree blogging for the New York Times

2008-09-04T20:37:00.002-05:00

Michael Crabtree is blogging for the New York Times this season. His first entry is a quick introductory post about himself, his family, and what a brief look at what his life is like in Lubbock.

Opponent	Result
Eastern Washington	W, 49-24
@ Nevada	W,35-19
SMU	W,43-7
Massachusetts	W, 56-14