Friday, August 31, 2012

PREVIEW: TEXAS TECH VS Northwestern State


He’s got fishing lines strung across the Louisiana rivers ,Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat
He’s setting traps in the swamp catching anything he can  He’s gotta make a living, he’s a Louisiana Man
Lousiana Man – Doug Kershaw (hey sometimes its tough to intro w/ song lyrics)

Where:  Jones Stadium, Lubbock
When:  6:00pm Central
TV:  Fox Sports Plus
Weather:  mid 90s, clear no wind
Line:  no line due to crappy school
This is week one of Tech’s 88th season. There is lots on the line but this games is nothing but a glorified scrimmage. Which is good, cause after hitting your teammates for weeks, you need to get a test against an opponent. Albeit in this case and opponent you should dismantle.
The Northwestern State (Louisiana) Demons take the field against Tech. They are brining back 22 offensive and defensive starters, most of which are Seniors and Juniors. So these guys have been playing together long enough to not be picked up by any FBS school. Congrats.

This is short and sweet. Their QB is good, completing almost 62% of his throws. Their defense is lead by Derek Rose who is a two-time All American at this level of play. And they have a ten players, some starting, who transferred to the school last year.

The Red Raiders need to focus on establishing the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and block for Doege so he can pass for 400 yards and most importantly, get some pressure on the other guys QB.


BEST GUESS
NS Alum
TECH      56
NwSt     17

FUN WITH NUMBERS
75- 7 – score of the game from the last time these two teams met
58-26-3 – Red Raiders all-time opening day record
4 – number of new coaches on Tech sideline after last year’s train wreck
GUNS UP!




Monday, August 27, 2012

2012 TEXAS TECH FOOTBALL PREVIEW


Have you heard about the lonesome loser, beaten by the queen of hearts every time
Have you heard about the lonesome loser, he's a loser, but he still keeps on tryin' – Little River Band

Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. Ah you just can’t look at the 2012 Texas Tech Red Raider team and think of Tubs. He’s tenure resembles that one friend you have that is going to Vegas with ‘his’ system and going to come home HUGE winner. Of course the first night he comes out slightly ahead and he’s kind of talking smack thinking he’s just warming up.

Then the second night, he just gets hammered. But it wasn’t his fault, the system works, but the dealer was hot or the idiot sitting next to him took his card cause he hit on 19 (who hits on 19!!!!)

Now it’s the 3rd day, his bags are packed and he’s only got an few hours to break even. Screw the system, he’s playing multiple hands, doubling down trying everything… and I got a good idea that he’s going to be on a southwest flight home broken hearted. Along with a bunch of pissed off Red Raider fans.

Welcome to your 2012 Texas Tech football team. Its anything goes this year. Defensive Coordinator? How about 4th one in 4 years. Defensive system? 3rd in 3 years. JUCO Players? Why, not it worked for Bill Snyder and KSU for years lets give it a shot. I’m waiting to see that Tech is going to try the wishbone (which UT might want to consider this year). It’s a make it or break it year for Tuberville, he knows it, the fans know it, his players know it. The only person who doesn’t, and is probably too stubborn to know it is Hance. It only took him and this staff two years to wreck what it took Spike and Leach 20 years to build.

OFFENSE
Well at least we mostly know what we have here. Seth Doege is back and will probably put up another year of ridiculous numbers and over 4,500 yards passing.  His back up is Michael Brewer from Lake Travis who’s been riding the pine for a year. If you don’t know about Lake Travis and what they’ve been doing in Texas High School football check it out. But don’t look at the last stud QB from Travis, cause he didn’t work out too well for the Horns.

Eric Stephens is back at running back after suffering a horrible hit against the Aggies (I still think it was a late hit, but I’ll let it go).  And one of the JUCO guys, SaDale Foster sounds like he’s getting ready to pick up any slack that is needed.

And the wide receiving corps is basically all back with Moore, Ward, Torres and the gang essentially all back.

The offensive line, which as a little a few months ago was  then a strength is now probably the biggest concern. There are possible big things coming from LaDanian Waddle at left tackle. After that, due to injury and the arrival and very quick departure of Brian Thomas from A&M (that move was not Red Ass), its going to be a mix of guys moving from where they were going to play back to where they played last year, to young guys stepping up.

Overall, unless something drastically bad happens against medium to poor teams, this squad will put up points. However, you still have to wonder what in the world happened against ISU and OSU last year when they only scored 13 points combined.

DEFENSE
Pray. Pray often, pray loudly. That’s literally the best option for Tech this year. Tuberville has gone back to one of his old D-coordinators after the young TCU coach and his 4-2-5 scheme imploded.  This part of the team was so bad last year, you literally saw them stop trying on the field. They were not even competing by the end of the year and gave up a school record 471 points and ranked dead last against the run. Awesome!

In the Big 12 you better be able to stop the pass and that’s why the focus on signing day was bring in a bunch of JUCO bandaids and see if you can stop the bleeding.  They are going to be taking the field with a bunch of returning players from last years squad. That ain’t good.

Anyone remember that last good linebacker Tech had? Still Zach Thomas? That is getting to be a said story. JUCO’s here too. Plus a few returners.

And lets just say that having a defensive line that could stop a freshmen B team would be nice.

PREDICTIONS – 7-5 (being generous here)
Sept 1                   Northwestern State       W
 Sept 8                 @ Texas State               W
Sept 15                 New Mexico                 W
 Sept 29                @ Iowa State                W
Oct 6                      Oklahoma                    L
Oct 13                   West Virginia                L
Oct 20                   @ TCU                        L
Oct 27                   @Kansas State             W
Nov 3                    Texas                            L
Nov 10                  Kansas                          W
Nov 17                  @ Oklahoma State        L
Nov 24                  Baylor (Arlington)          W


GUNS UP!