Texas Tech Sunday Morning Notes - You Just Play The Best One Edition

by Seth C on Jan 4, 2009 7:05 AM CST in Daily Diatribe Comment 19 comments

Double-T Nation News:

Don't forget to watch 60 Minutes tonight.

Texas Tech Football:

LAJ's Don Williams asks if the team lacked motivation playing in the Cotton Bowl and Captain Mike Leach didn't think so:

"If you asked me before the game, I would say definitely no, and I still lean toward definitely no,’’ Leach said after Tech was slapped around 47-34 by Ole Miss in the final Cotton Bowl at the historic Fair Park stadium. "But by the same token, there’s a lot of rhetoric on that, and I don’t know if somehow we were successfully brainwashed in that direction. I don’t know why you would be.’’

I've never understood how this could be a factor. At some point I'd have to think that you realize that you're playing a pretty even opponent, why would the whole non-BCS bowl game be a motivation to play poorly?

What about the distinct possibility that Ole Miss was just a better team? I know that may not be a popular sentiment, but why would we ever believe that the entire 85 men on this team are affected in a singular emotional way? That just seems laughable to think that everyone on the team felt the same way about not going to a BCS bowl game, but whatever.

And for the record, I felt the same way about the Cal vs. Texas Tech game. I don't believe for a second that Cal was not motivated to play the game on the field, but that game, Texas Tech was just a better football team.

Is that too simplistic a thought?

FWST's Dwain Price writes that the Cotton Bowl loss provides motivation for next year. Sophomore linebacker Brian Duncan thanks the seniors, but is already looking forward to next year:

"I give all credit to my seniors, because they had an awesome year," sophomore linebacker Brian Duncan said. "They absolutely got us to this point and it was an amazing season.
"But I promised to them and I promised to my team that we’re coming back next year, and this off-season we’re going to get ready. We’re going to build on this loss and come back strong."

And I thought this quote from Ruffin McNeill might be pretty telling about the running back competition next year:

"Wait until everybody sees [Jeffers]," defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill marveled. "I’m going to tell you something, he’s special — very special — and he’s going to be really good. He’s tough, he can run, he has balance, he has power, he has speed and he understands vision. He’s tough to handle in practice."

DMN's Brandon George also looks towards next year and had this on the quarterback competition:

The biggest question will be who replaces Harrell. The likely choice is Taylor Potts, this year's backup from Abilene. Potts (6-5, 215), who will be a junior, lacks Harrell's accuracy but has a stronger arm.
Expect Tech coach Mike Leach to give Potts the starter's job but not before he opens up a quarterback competition in the spring. Potts could have a short leash because Tech's coaching staff really likes talented freshman Seth Doege.

"Choosing quarterbacks is simple," Leach said. "You just play the best one."

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Comments

Was going to post an article entitled “Paint It Black – Acknowledging That Awful Aftertaste” which is the theoretical opposite of my earlier post about looking on the brighter side, but I’ve been much too sad to write is so far.

by kayakyakr on Jan 4, 2009 12:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the memories Raider Nation!

by Ole "Cotton Champs" Miss Fan on Jan 4, 2009 3:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am looking forward to next year, too

The way this year ended left a bad taste in many mouths, including, hopefully, all returning Red Raider football players. Even though we lose a good running back in Shannon Woods, I feel that Jeffers will be an upgrade. The returning receivers must show they can get it done without Crabs around. Hopefully, someone will step to the front and inspire them all. Doege will push Potts and the winner there should give us more mobility at the QB slot. We will miss Harrell’s abilities, but the returnees are capable of taking us to the same level. The “O” line is going to be younger, but talent is there. Overall, the offense should be close to the same in balance.

The “D” needs to become more agressive. Despite what was said all year, it never made great strides to become dominant. There were a few great plays, but overall, the “D” was no better than the previous two or three years. For Tech to at least return to the Cotton, or higher-I hope, the “D” needs to improve to make up for any possible “O” drop in production.

Congrats to the team for a great year. We wanted more, expected more, but it is what it is. Many are raking Tech over the coals now with the Cotton Bowl loss, but I think they will be back next year playing with even more hunger. Tech made positive strides this year, and will continue to rise next year.

Now. Mr. Leach. SIGN THE DANG CONTRACT! PLEASE!

TTpilk

by TTpilk645 on Jan 4, 2009 3:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the memories Raider Nation!

This Rebel fan got to meet and talk to lots of Tech folks in Dallas. By far the vast majority were all class and great folks. I learned alot about Big 12 football from a perspective I have never seen before. I have been a minor Mizzou fan since I have some family there, but after watching y’all on tv and in person this season (and meeting the Raider faithful), I will root for Tech in the Big 12. High point of the weekend was sitting behind Taylor Potts parents during the game. Can’t wait to see him play next year. Coach and Mrs. Potts were awesome to talk to and elevated my enjoyment of the game. Seems like Taylor was brought up right and coached well by his Dad.

The fatal mistake I saw from Tech was overconfidence. While Tech fans were nice, there was always an undertone of “well isn’t this cute, Ole Miss thinks they are here to win”. Smirks on faces and a complete lack of SEC/Rebel awareness (present company excluded) demonstrated that most (if not all) had believed the hype.

That being said, y’all need to drop all this “bad taste in our mouth” talk – one loss should not ruin a signature season for Tech.

Bottom line – this win (like this season) was super-sweet for us because we feel like we beat the best. Much respect from the Grove! (if you don’t know, look it up and come visit) Hope to play y’all soon again!

Hotty Toddy! and Guns Up!

by Ole "Cotton Champs" Miss Fan on Jan 4, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I looked it up for you

http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/09/29/travel/escapes/29grove.html

by Ole "Cotton Champs" Miss Fan on Jan 4, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bad taste

because the team was winning games even when not playing their best. But the OU game was really an example of how bad it can get when the ole snowball starts rollin’ downhill. OU is not that good and tech is not that bad. They still were a bit hung over the next week against Baylor. But against Ole Miss? There were simply too many outside distractions. I just feel the team was poorly prepared, including the coaches. I know the players wanted this win. But with improper preparation, this is what happens. You lose. It just leaves a sour taste because of the knowledge Ole Miss did not really get to see what this Tech team could really do due to the poor prep. I know we had some people that were hurt, but the level of play just did not sustain throughout the game, and that is sad. I fully expect the returning players to remember this game because on that day it appeared they lost to a supposedly better team. I don’t really believe the Ole Miss team is better than Tech, just better prepared for this one game. I do think Ole Miss is good, and next year they could vie for the SEC championship. Hopefully, if Tech can improve, these two teams can meet again, this time with different results. May God look favorably on both teams in the future.

TTpilk

by TTpilk645 on Jan 4, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're reading too much

into the psychology of the team and it’s strange to think that you have an idea as to what the mentality of the team was because of our fans. Texas Tech was blown out by OU, barely beat Baylor and limped into the Cotton Bowl. How could that team be over-confident? I know I wasn’t too confident, I was only predicting a 3 point win although I thought it could have gone either direction. And as an aside, Red Solo Cup predicted the same score but for the Ole Miss side, into the fans’ perspective rather than the team’s perspective.

But back to the original point, which is that you (or anyone else) really have no idea what the psyche of the team really is, but you do of the fans. We had reason to be somewhat confident as did you guys, that’s part of being a successful team.

Again, I’m not real sure what you’re trying to diagnose, but it just seems a bit off, especially when the point of the post was that the blanket statement that an entire team lacked motivation. If anything, Ole Miss was just a better team on Friday. It’s that easy.

And yes, Leach is a strange bird, God love him.

Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation

by Seth C on Jan 4, 2009 8:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some good points

your observation about fan attitudes vs player attitudes not being indicative of each other is absolutely right. I didn’t mean to infer that my observations of one affected my conclusion for the other, but re-reading my post, i can see that it appears i did. i concluded overconfidence on behalf of the team from observations that included: uncharacteristic lack of preparation and the actions of Hamby and others at the end of the game (among other more minor things). Ultimately, you are right however, I cannot know the mental state of the team or staff. overconfidence seemed the only conclusion that an obviously exceptionally talented group of young men and great football minded coaches might fall prey to in the context of my observations.

I was not trying to diagnose anything, just hoping to offer some constructive observations from a different perspective with the genuine hope of improvement for the Raiders.

by Ole "Cotton Champs" Miss Fan on Jan 4, 2009 8:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Points taken.

And I still believe that Ole Miss was just a better football team and I think that I understand that hopefully, this team learns from the situation and is better next year.

Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation

by Seth C on Jan 4, 2009 8:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What I meant to say

is that “Your points are well taken.”

Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation

by Seth C on Jan 4, 2009 8:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Thanks for your recognition of our talent. it is nice to hear. what tech and ole miss seem to have in common is that we are most often portrayed as “second tier” teams behind “national contender” teams in our respective conferences. One thing i definitely did not like about the 60 minutes piece was the statement that Tech did not have a strong football tradition (and made by a raider alum, no less). i read about tech before and after the game and it seemed to me to have great tradition. i mean tech played in on of the early cotton bowls if i remember. y’all have great mascots, cheers, and gestures; all with their own interesting history, story, meaning, and context. to me that is a big part of what football “tradition” is. does the 60 minutes guy think tech’s marketing department concocted all this for this season??

by Ole "Cotton Champs" Miss Fan on Jan 4, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Texas Tech

has not traditionally had a big winning program (500 wins at 56% all time winning percentage) at least when compared to UT (800+ wins, 75% all time winning percentage), etc. I think that’s probably what he was referring to rather than Texas Tech has no tradition.

Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation

by Seth C on Jan 4, 2009 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

all-time, schmall-time

i see your point, but like i said W-L records don’t mean much on gameday usually. tell ya what… we’ll beat florida again next year and y’all send OU packin’ and lets meet in the ’09 national championship game. stranger things have happened.

by Ole "Cotton Champs" Miss Fan on Jan 4, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Leach was…well, Leach, on 60 Minutes tonight. Nothing new that we didn’t already know, and wish they would have focused on Graham’s reads and the play. That would have been interesting, though not as relevant to Leach. Lewis had some hot opinions on Leach, though. Pretty solid pub and nice recruiting plug at the end.

Now, let’s get this contract thing wrapped up one way or the other, have Ruffin learn to be aggressive or replace our DC, and move into 2009 with some attitude.

by Tech92 on Jan 4, 2009 7:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's Why We Love Him

Because he is Leach.

And Tech92, I’m glad you’re not Nostradamus.

Wes Welker can't be stopped.

by 10forTech on Jan 4, 2009 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing personal Ole Miss fan

But I’m a Raider in Mississippi and have watched Ole Miss all season. I actually was at the Vandy game. I give Ole Miss great props for prep and coaching. They are a very good team right now. They were not for the first half of the year. However, this is where I disagree with you Seth, because Ole Miss is not a better team. Did they play better than Tech on Friday, Yes. from a Tech perspective this was the perfect storm. The Genesis I think is something that we usually welcome but was the death nail this year. All Tech folks think back to what was the real beginning of the slide… that’s right the dreaded week off. I think that if we go right into Norman the week after OSU we do not get blown out. I’m not saying we win but we go in with momentem. The difference Friday was that Ole Miss came in with momentum, again props to them, but we had none as we barely get passed Baylor and then….Injuries to Harrell-Crab, No contract extension signed, Heisman snub, No extension signed, Not as good preparation as in the past evident to all that would look, No extension signed, still no extention signed, and the game day and I haven’t seen this here but apparently Perry and Sesay were suspended for the game and that explains why we had no depth on the D-line. Also, injuries and not good coaching at times, Harrel missed an open Crab deep 3 times in first half, Ole Miss rolls in first 8 minutes of 2nd half, and no extention signed!!!!!!! The mental state of 18 to 22 yr old males are totally unpredictable and I don’t think our heads were really in sync since the OSU game. Last commet, My Pastor who is a huge Ole Miss fan went to the OSU game with myself and my 2 sons and he has Ole Miss season tickets and he say Tech up close when they were playing their best and we went to the Cotton Bowl together and all he said before hand was I hope it’s a good game and Ole Miss can keep it close. He knew who was a better team on Nov. 8 but as we found out on Jan. 2 Ole Miss had the momentum! Wreck’em Tech Keep Leach

by techgolf44 on Jan 4, 2009 9:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

hmm...

I still want to know what idiot paper in Austin “broke” that rumor about Leach going to Tennessee being a “done deal”. While I wouldn’t normally be a big person on midseason momentum, I will say this:
-Tech was 10-0 and rolling well into the bye.
-A completely unsubstantiated (and anonymous) rumor gets reported out of “some paper in Austin” that Mike Leach is going to Tennessee
-Tech gets routed by OU
-Graham Harrell (the STARTING QB OF OUR FOOTBALL TEAM) comes out in public and says his head coach is as good as gone

Without that last bit, I write it all off as idle chatter and “rumor-mill” standards of any football season, but when your STARTING QB says the head coach is “gone”, I simply CANNOT believe that doesn’t hurt team morale. I really hafta wonder where this team would be today had our head coach had a signed contract extension after OSU.

by HeeroTX on Jan 5, 2009 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED!

He should have sealed the deal before the team ever took the field in their first game. A lot of this is on Gerald’s and Kent’s heads. Money, schmoney. SIGN!

TTpilk

by TTpilk645 on Jan 5, 2009 7:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs