RED RAIDERS LOOK TO FINISH FIRST SEASON UNDER TUBERVILLE WITH WIN AGAINST WILDCATS
I've got two tickets to paradise, Won't you pack your bags, we'll leave tonight, I've got two tickets to paradise. Mr. Eddie Money
Where: The Old Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
When: January 1, 11 pm central
TV: ESPN U
Weather: high is 53
Line: Texas Tech -9.5
As Texas Tech looks to finish this mediocre season under Tuberville at the inaugral TicketCity Bowl in Dallas tomorrow, there's a little good news and bad news.
GOOD: Tech made it to the Cotton Bowl.
BAD: This is not THE Cotton Bowl. That game moved to Jerry World and is played on January 7th, where the Aggies are taking on the LSU Tigers.
GOOD: Northwestern's stud QB Dan Persa was lost for the year after throwing a game winning TD against Iowa.
BAD: Tech's QB rotation is still Potts and Stix both of whom have under-performed in their senior season.
GOOD: Tech's defense will not be led by D-Coordinator James Willis as he abruptly left to pursue other career choices. Namely getting on Muschamp's new staff at Florida.
BAD: The Red Raiders still have the same players who have gotten crushed all year to finish 115th in the nation.
GOOD: As Tech is playing a Big 10 team, there is no chance that Big 10 officials will be calling this game. Their ineptitude in yesterday's Music City Bowl and Pinstrip Bowl was atrocious.
BAD: Tech is still playing at the Cotton Bowl, where minus the sturggling win against Baylor its pretty much a bad story for the Red Raiders.
The good news for ESPN and the fans that are going to attend the game, is that with these two defenses playing there is going to be ample opportunities for scoring and a good ole fashioned shootout could happen. Northwestern has gotten shelled in the Big 10, which has never been know for earth-shattering offenses. And with the dismisal, departure or whatever you are going to call it of Willis, there's going to be a lot of confusion on the sidelien and coaches box for Tech.
For Coach Tuberville, he's got to coach this like he's playing against Bama at Auburn. He needs to have a big win to help with recruiting, get the alumni back on his side and figure out what he has for next year. To say this season was less than what the Hub City fans were looking for after the Leach years would be an understatement.
PREDICTION:
Red Raiders - 42
Northwester - 28
FUN WITH NUMBERS:
7-5 Records of both teams going into this January 1 bowl game. Remember when Jan. 1 games meant something. Now you have the Kraft Food Fight Hunger on January 7th or something.
18 - number of season's that Tech has finished the year bowl eligible. The Longhorns start their streak fresh next year.
1-7 Northwestern's bowl record.
Happy New Year! GUNS UP!
Read more: http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/778505-ticketcity-bowl-preview-texas-tech-vs-northwestern#ixzz19jf9neLE
