Whatever it is that you do you should do, you should do
with your head held high. – PINK (yep I’m hitting the bottom of the barrel for
lyrics)
Where: Jones AT&T
Stadium
When: 6:00pm Central
TV: Fox Sports
Channel
Weather:low 70s,
partly rainy chance of rain
Line:Tech -33.5
The mighty Lobos of New Mexico make their bi-annual trip to
the slaughterhouse in Lubbock this week as the Red Raiders look to get
everything setup for Big 12 play.
But before we get into this week’s game, let’s look back to
last week…
You really can’t bitch about anything the Red Raiders did
against Texas State last week. The beat them on offense, defense and special
teams. It was the kind of game Tech needed and wanted to have. Great job all
around. 58 -10 has a nice ring to it.
So in limps New Mexico after getting their butts handed
to them by the Longhorns in Austin last weekend.
This has been a bad team for years. Bob Davie for some
reason decided to leave the warm confines of ESPN’s college broadcast and come
back to coaching after a bad tenure at Notre Dame to try and resurrect this moribund
program. I don’t know why, I mean I really don’t know why.This team was 1-11 last year and 3-33 that
past three years overall. They are awful.
Here’s what you need to know. They are installing a new
offense under Davie, the triple option but they have no threat to throw as
their QB is beat up and has been pretty inefficient to say the least all year.
This is gut check game for the entire defense. New Mexico
is going to try and control the clock as much as they can and just run and run.
BEST GUESS
TECH52
NM17
FUN WITH NUMBERS
22 – Straight road loses by the lobos
76 – Total points given up by New Mexico in two games.
4 – Tech’s rank in total defense (according to SI.com) take
it while you got it
I tried to find any songs about San Marcos but nobody has
yet to be inspired by visiting a city known for its Outlet Mall it appears.
Where: Jim Wacker
Field, San Marcos
When: 6:00pm Central
TV: ESPN3 (that’s the
internet)
Weather: mid 80s,
some wind
Line: Tech -18
The Texas Tech Red Raiders begin to play real football, at
least technically FBS level football when they travel down to the packed 30,000
seat stadium in San Marcos to take on the Texas State Bobcats.
But before we get into this week’s game, let’s look back to
last week…
Well, if there would have been a line the Red Raiders wouldn’t
have covered. But they took care of business. Seth Doege and Eric Stephens came
back and for the most part looked good, not great. Nice surprise was Kenny Davis
getting 75 yards on the ground. 13 different players caught at least one pass
and it was virtual 50/50 split of run to pass.
Best part was defense.
They only allowed 84 yards of total offense and 6 first downs.
Outstanding.
Now comes some “real” competition. I use quotation marks on
real as I don’t know what the Bobcats have got. Are they closer to the team that
Tech whipped 50-10 last year? Or are they closer to the team that won their
first FBS game as a member of the WAC against a Houston team on the road last
week (a Houston team who is replacing their Head Coach, QB, and lord
knows who else). Guess we will find out.
Dennis Franchione is rebuilding this team and his
reputation and they sure seem to be on the right track. Their defense held last
year’s top offense to just 13 points, though a lot of yards (sounds eerily
familiar). Their offense seems to be fairly balanced as they led on the ground
by Marcus Curry with 131 yards and 2 TDs. Their QB, Shawn Rutherford completed
almost 20 passes for 196 yards to 7
different receivers.
If I had any faith in Tuberville, which I have surprisingly
little of, I would chalk this up to an easy win. However, until we see what
this team really after a few more games is see a 14 pt win.
San Marcos Outlet Mall
BEST GUESS
TECH 42
TSU 28
FUN WITH NUMBERS
105 – seasons of playing intercollegiate football for Texas
State
2006 – Last time the Red Raiders held an opponent to 6 or
less points
49 – total number of plays that Northwestern State was able
to run, North Texas had 46 in 2000
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
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.
Deed is done again, we've wonAin't talking no tall tales friend
'Cause high noon, your doom Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell – Cowboys from Hell, Pantera
When: 11:00 am Nov 12
Where: Jones Stadium, Lubbock
TV: ABC
Weather: low 70s, windy
Line: -17 OSU
Hey Tech fans, remember when we beat OU in Norman and things we looking great for the rest of the season? No? Anyone? Coach Tuberville put your hand down. Well how about another shot at knocking off the #2 team in the nation at home, yep not feeling it.
But before we get into the OSU Cowboys, lets look back at last week…
I think the refs just signaled another touchdown for the Longhorns. This time they started at the own 1 inch line and in three quick runs, score again. How can Tech not field a defense on a weekly basis? Are they that thin that with injuries you are fielding a six-man squad against UT? The Horns didn’t even have their starting RB, but their back up managed to put up almost 200 yds and 3 TDs. 489 yards on the ground. Stellar effort there. 0-4 against A&M and UT Tubs. You can’t go 0-4 at Auburn against Bama because they’d fire your butt, but keep it up. Its all coming together.
So this week Tech gets to rebound from that shellacking with a nice matchup against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Its in Lubbock, but so was the Iowa State game. The Cowboys come in looking to go 10-0 and secure a spot in the BCS title game.
Gundy and the OSU staff looked at what Tech was doing in the ‘00s and said, we like it lets do it better. Well by bringing in Brandon Weeden , Justin Blackmon and Joseph Randle they have a scoring machine, averaging over 50 pts a game. And Randle ranks 2nd in the Big 12 in rushing. Fantastic!
So Tech comes into this with a shredded defense, still questionable special teams and an offense that has managed to score 27 points in the last two games (and remember one of those games was Iowa State). I’m still waiting for the inevitable press release in December (assuming no bowl game) that Doege is hurt and that’s the real reason for the collapse so don’t worry next year will be different, purchase those season tickets now.
Hopefully Tech surprises everyone! They need one more win to be eligible for TicketCity or Pin Stripe Bowl.
BEST GUESS
OSU 59
Tech 10
FUN WITH NUMBERS
2 Number of passes UT completed and they were still up 31-6
93-27 Points Tech has surrendered and scored in last two games
.803 Tech’s winning percentage at home since 2002.
“They say misery loves company. We coud start a factory and make misery. FRUSTRATED. INCORPORATED” – Soul Asylum, Misery
When: 11:00 am Nov 5
Where: Austin, DKR Stadium
TV: FX (look for the rotating announcer logos, its like FX is spoofing FOX)
Weather: low 70s, sunny
Line: -14.5 UT (opened at -9)
Alright alright alright. Time for another matchup between the Longhorns and the Red Raiders. Got NO clue what team is traveling to Austin for Tech, but before we get to that, lets briefly look back on the past two week….(sorry boss came to town so no writing)
OU – 41-38. A Huge WIN in Norman, we’re the best team ever.
ISU – 41-7. To quote Norm McDonald “What the H?”
Ok Coach Tuberville, to continue the Soul Asylum song lets see if you can make the cure, because you made the disease. Good lord, I don’t know what to take out of that Iowa State game. About the only thing good is that there is no written record of Wisdom of the Crowd’s preview with a 42-7 Tech win prediction.
Tech is beat up across the board. Against ISU they lost another two starters and the backups look like they had no clue what to do. On offense, I swear Doege must be injured. Against the Cyclones he didn’t step into throws, floated passes and was just about as accurate as Zebbie Lethridge with a head cold.
So now you get to lick your wounds by hoping on a plane and flying down to Austin. In case you don’t have the Longhorn Network (and that’s pretty much everyone), you missed them picking apart Kansas. But UT has some issues as their losses to OU and OSU showed. Now the Oklahoma State game could have been much closer than it was, but OU just destroyed UT both offensively and defensively. That has got to give every Red Raider fan some hope.
UT on defense has some holes. Against the two “good” schools they played and lost to, they gave up an average of 46.5 points. Now those were to two Top 10 national offenses. Tech was another Top 10 offense until last week so that’s good.
Offensively, I still think their rotation of Ash and McCoy at quarterback is a bad idea and they should settle on one. And here’s a hint, the coaching staff is very much rumored to be leaning hard towards Ash. The horns have two great backs to. Malcolm Brown gets the majority of the carries, but Fozzie Whittaker gets his touches to.
And then there is some kid named Shipley. And than name should strike fear into any Big 12 defense.
Overall, I want to throw out the best and worst games for both these teams. Doing that, I think Tech has a pretty good shot here and knowing that UT fans will not be at full tilt for 11 am kick, DKR might not be the usual canyon of doom for tech.
But then history slaps you right in the face. The Longhorns have won two straight against the Red Raiders and lead the all-time series 44-15 and Tech hasn’t won in Austin since 1997. Tech has a puncher’s chance.
BEST GUESS
Tech – 35
UT – 38
FUN WITH NUMBERS
16-32 Doege’s passing stats last week against ISU
4-0 Tech’s road record stretching back to last year
1928 – Year that these two teams first met. UT won in Austin 12-0
When: 6:00pm Central
BEST GUESS
