Five Reasons Texas Tech Will Win :: Kansas Jayhawks Edition
by Seth C on Oct 29, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
in Texas Tech Football
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PrintThis weekly feature considers five reasons why Texas Tech will win and five reasons Texas Tech will lose to each opponent. Related: Five Reasons Texas Tech Will Lose :: Kansas Jayhawks Edition.
Reason #1 :: Might Be Motivated: I think Texas Tech fans could collectively hit this reason right out of the park. If this team isn't highly motivated on Saturday afternoon, then I shudder what will happen the rest of the season. I know this is supposed to be 5 reasons why I believe Texas Tech will win, but there better be a whole lot of fire from this club, both offensively and defensively. At this point of the season, it's really not about comments made about players' girlfriends or learning about transitive results in college football, it's about execution on the field. In comparison to last year, this team has really had to pull itself up a number of times, namely because of injuries or a suspension or two, and I'm hoping that this will serve the team well moving forward.
Reason #2 :: Do What You Do Best: I don't know if I need to consider the TAMU game an anomaly or if I need to base my thoughts on the collective whole of the season. For the season, this defense has been pretty good, and prior to last week was 50th in the nation in total defense, but was quickly reletaged to 78th in the nation after last week. Despite only having 1 sack last week, the defense as a unit is still 11th in the nation in total sacks. I know this defensive line can play better and I know that the linebackers can play better. I've seen it with my own two eyes. I can't say that I know any of these players, and this somewhat relates to item 1 above, but I hope like hell that the front 7 took last week's game personally. This is a pride issue with the team. I've seen DT Colby Whitlock dominate a game all by himself. I've seen the defensive end trio of Howard, Henley and Sharpe get in a quarterback's back pocket all day long. All I'm asking is for containment and collapsing the pocket. I've seen it happen many times before, let's see it again.
Reason #3 :: Lean On The Running Playmakers: I would truly appreciate it if someone could just send a memo of this reason to Captain Leach. To wit -- I know that you believe in your quarterbacks and I know that you believe that you can transform just about any human into a NCAA leading passing machine, but I think it might be in your best interest and the best interest of this team if you deferred to certain playmakers on this team who tend rush the football more than pass the football. I'm not at all asking that you abandon what you do best, and we all know that that is, but there's real talent at the running back position. In the second half of the game last week RB Baron Batch had 2 rushing attempts and RB Harrison Jeffers had 1 (please ignore the fact that he fumbled -- a complete fluke). I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned the running game a time or two and even yesterday, well respected DTN reader texastfan made a similar comment about the running game. I think you help out your offensive line and quarterback immensely if you can consistently run the ball.
Reason #4 :: Pressure Receivers: The more I think about it this week, I think I'm starting to understand McNeill's decision to play off of the TAMU receivers last week. McNeill was without his star freshman S Will Ford and reliable S Brett Dewhurst, and it's likely that this pair will also be out this week as well. Despite those two being out, this Texas Tech defense still leads the Big 12 in passes defended. I'm thinking that McNeill knew that he was going to have to play S Julius Howard and CB D.J. Johnson for a good part of Texas Tech's nickel and dime packages and McNeill didn't want to expose the defense to any big plays. I've tended to notice that McNeill is much more conservative at home and without being too critical, I think we can safely say that this failed miserably. This week however, I think McNeill re-thinks his strategy a bit. We know that starting safeties Cody Davis and Franklin Mitchem are completely healthy and we also know that senior CB Brent Nickerson filled in nicely at safety when either Davis or Mitchem were injured. I know that this guy isn't the biggest guy, but he's fast and he's reliable and he's proven himself on special teams, but I'd love for Ruff to give CB Taylor Charbonnet a shot at the other defensive back spot. It's obvious that what happened last week was an abomination, let's think outside the box a bit. I think what you may be dealing with in Nickerson and Charbonnet are two intelligent players that get the system. They may not have the physical ability to play like Johnson, who is physically gifted, but young, and Howard, who has struggled to find a role for much of his career at Texas Tech, but I think they'll play more aggressively and they won't get you beat. That's Ruff's mantra, I'm sure of it and I don't think Charbonnet or Nickerson will let Ruff down.
Reason #5 :: Then Open It Up: I'm not trying to be contradictory, but I have no doubt that once item 3 above is accomplished, it's going to absolutely open up the passing game for QB Seth Doege. Leach mentioned that Doege had good tempo when he came into the game and there's no doubt that the team responded. However, Doege also didn't press, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. Doege's longest pass of the night was 20 yards and his yards per attempt was 5.8 for the game. Granted, his receives didn't help him out a whole bunch, but part of Doege's success will be making plays down the field. There's plenty of guys to choose from: Alexander Torres, Tramain Swindall, Detron Lewis, Lyle Leong, Austin Zouzalike, etc. Once Kansas is backed off by the running game, Doege has to test the secondary and not just defer to either wide receiver and/or running back screens. There may be some mistakes made along the way, but playing it too safe isn't going to win this football game.
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I agree...
It felt like you were reaching a bit, Seth…or at least hoping. I’m with you though. I hope all those things happen, but relying on the running game isn’t something Leach is going to do. I think he should, as we have some great backs, but it simply won’t happen. I do think the defense shows up and we get a close win.
My thoughts.
I have no opinion on whether or not you’re worried, I would think we all are after last week’s game.
Reason #1 = Our d-line & o-line come out swinging (figuratively) and knock someones head off right from the start (literally). Well, I don’t really want to see heads sans bodies on the field, but you get the point.
Reason #2 = Pride
Reason #3 = See one and two
Reason #4 = Committment to running the ball more. To your point Seth, Kansas should come in to the game looking to rattle Doege and apply pressure. It really should open up the run via draws or counters at the start of the game. This will open up the pass later in the game and would play right in to our hands. But you GOTTA run the ball in this game.
Reason #5 = See one and two
Not sure I would say I am completely certain about a win this week (even though I thinik we will win every game), but I am excited to see how our team responds after this week.
Wreck ’em!
by imisswesttexas on Oct 29, 2009 12:51 PM CDT reply actions
I messed up
I was writing a really deep entry and lost it somehow….stupid computers…..ARRRRGGGHHHH!
Anyway, I hope Tech will realize the mess they left all over the field last week and knock some of the same out of the Jayhawks this week. We need a win or as Seth said, this year could really turn out badly. So far, though, considering all the negative things this year’s edition of the Red Raiders has had to deal with, they have been able to still piece together a decent year. Now, knowing they can do better and going out to prove it is something they must gird up their belts and do from start to finish in every remaining game, including whichever bowl game they are awarded. I have no doubt Tech will go to a bowl, but how they finish the year will dictate how good that bowl game is on the list. Since BCS is out, probably, then Holiday, Cotton or Alamo are the most probable. Go for the best one available, I say. Go get them, Red Raiders as we here at DTN are backing you all the way, along with a million other fans who cannot get out to see you. WRECK ’EM, TECH!
TTpilk
These two teams are near mirror images of each other on both sides of the ball, statistically speaking. Both pass extremely well, neither is extremely effective on the ground, though KU runs much more than we do, both score a ton of points. Both pass defenses are abysmal (Tech is 91st, KU is 100th), both give up a lot of sacks.
This game may be the longest of the season with all the passes we’ll see. I have no feel at all for who will win this…but I do think it will be a close one to the finish.
KU Stats
http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?year=2009&org=328
Tech Stats
http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?org=700&year=2009&week=8
Reason #5....
Amen to stretching the field………what good is an open air stadium if you don’t MAKE IT RAIN RAIDERS!!!!
Is that....
an AIR RAID SIREN I HEAR!!!!! It’s time to perform the black out drills, get in the basement, I want to hear the shells incoming, SHOCK AND AWE!!!
I'm just not feelin that negative....
For me I’m not hoping I think all of Seth’s points will happen. I have nothing against Potts and in fact I wish he would come thru because of the “NFL stuff” but to this point he has not put it all together and I have watched and listened to TTech games ‘09 and it is evident the TTech team does not respond to him as they do SS/Daygee! I don’t know why but it is true, so I anyway it is about winning games and Leach must fine a way to not allow anymore distractions even when there are some. Doege will do fine and SS will be back against osu(copycats) and TTech can and will win out! Wreck’em Tech
Sand bags......
in the windows gents, helmets on…..and yes chin straps too,saftey first……..I expect massive collateral damage!
The punter gets the night off regardless of field position, on-side kicks when we are up by 30, 2-pt conversions instead of field goals, if Ruff’s crew runs out of Jayhawks to hit, they can come right up in the stands and start horse collaring fans, and helmet to helmet Raider Red!!!
ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!
I’m calling for CARNAGE here folks!! I want the K-State game to look like a nail bitter!!! I want the score to be so out of hand after the 1st quarter that coach pulls Doege and puts Potts back in for 3 qtrs of mop up!!!!!!ARRRGGHHHH
That's it...
I am wearing this black eye patch the rest of the week, and if my secretary comes in here and doesn’t refer to me as first mate even once, she is gonna walk the plank I have built in the conference room !!!!!! We are Texas Tech Damn it, let’s act like we have been here before, CARNAGE!!!!!
Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast!
I think TTUMAR wants to see Brick kill a man. LOL (hat-tip to LondonRaider who posted this quote after the Aggie game)
I’m with you in terms of getting fired up and wanting to see a big, big win. But I don’t have an eye patch. Also with you on converting the conference room in to a wet bar. Go get em.
by imisswesttexas on Oct 29, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I love lamp......
I love lamp………and it’s a pirate lamp! It’s got aged and dried human skin streteched into a lamp shade, and a creepy jolly roger head for a base, with a pull string made from the bones of parrot!!!! WRECK’EM TECH!!!!!!!!!1 ARRGGGGHH !!
agree about T Charbonnet
I’ve been pulling for him all season. I think his speed and agility will add another dynamic to the defense. I think we can rest assured that the team is pissed about last week’s game and hopefully have dumped their fat little girlfriends. I think with Doege at QB we can rely more on passing, but I’d still love to see more of Batch and Jeffers.
In blatant violation...
of my firms alchohol policy I am now tailgating at my desk on Thursday as I scream RAIDER……………….
POOOOWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Oct 29, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
#6
Because I told them if they lose again I’m going to burn down the building…
by mojavereject on Oct 29, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I hate TPS reports
I’m gonna burn this place down….dont take my stapler
1 REASON AND ONLY 1 REASON
THIS TEAM IS PISSED OFF AND THE FANS ARE EVEN MORE PISSED OFF!!!!!!
Also can we please stop talking about the FGF statement. It was a metaphor people!!!! and a damn good one at that.
Go Tech!
FGF
My wife’s son-in-law was here today and I was carrying on a conversation about how Bobby Bowden was not getting a lot of respect at FlaState, the team the son-in-law likes-after the Longhorns, that is. Well, it was a nice cordial conversation until he asked what was going on at Tech. I said they have just had so many injuries and other things that they just cannot get as in sync as they were last year. Then he blasts our great Capt’n, right out of the blue, for his FGF statement and says Leach is crazy. I told him it was a metaphor, that it really had nothing to do with actual FGFs. Then he said the Capt’n says stupid things. Well, I cannot get deep into arguments right now since I am recuperating from an operation. So, I just excused myself and went to my bedroom to explode. I tell ya, these Longhorn fans just cannot get over our leader and how much he has been able to get under their skins. Now, when I have recuperated well enough, I will take up the conversation again in earnest because I think Leach, with all the good and the bad, is one darn good coach who will get us to a national championship very soon. That is something all of us DTN bloggers are aware of and what we all feel is going to happen. MAN! Do I HATE burnt orange…….
TTpilk
Yeah,
don’t let him get to you. We’re here to keep you safe and sane and around for a long time.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
Yes Pilk there is a Longhorn fan on every corner..
of every town in Texas. I now smile when I hear some sort of drivel about Mike Leach. Tech has become an insurgent to their dynasty. I just hope they never run out of Wal-Mart T shirts for their fan base. Now that would be a travesty. Whole third world countries economies depend on those t shirt and fake jersey contracts. Don’t you know we have a recession going on? Buy more burnt orange is nice for Halloween.
And get well quick !
"do routine things routinely"
by centexraider on Oct 30, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Status Update...
I have been at this tailgating for a few hours now, and unfortunately I won’t be able to leave the office tonight. First of all because I have drank too much to drive, second because I am not wearing pants. I used my slacks to make a pretty majestic looking Jolly Roger flag which is attracting way too much attention outside my office. Guess it is an allnighter for this RAIDERGATE!!!!
Still piling on with Seth
Reason #1 :: Might Be Motivated: Raider defense is ready to deliver scunion. Agree that Ruffin goes all out to get the emotions of the defenders to a boiling point. The same game plan others try on us works against Kansas. Harass and pressure T. Reesing. Deny the passing lane he wants to use to hit Meier. Stuff Sharp on the draw trap or dive play. D line get hands up on the pass rush. Execute contain on the KU QB. Mangino is just as good a student of the game as Messrs. Sherman, Pelini & Snyder. I ‘d have to disagree a little with Seth in that Coaches always try to exploit each other tendencies. So you get the wrinkle effect. I would like to think Leach has thought out his wrinkle a bit better than Mark has. But then the logical part of the brain takes over and I revert back to what Mike likes to do. Repetion to perfection. So we all know or suspect the Raiders will just try to out execute the Jayhawks with our base offense and defense. I won’t even bring up trick plays on special teams. Wait I just did.
Reason #2 :: Do What You Do Best:
Except let’s get at least 25 plus touches to the Running backs. Since I have never seen concerted Raider running attack by a M. Leach team I know I’m talking about shovel, dump off , shovel. I’d say watching the Oklahoma vs. KU game that the Jayhawks are vulnerable to a right at you running attack. Let’s turn it to the Raiders advantage.
Reason #3 :: Lean On The Running Playmakers:
See above comment . Add on – limit the runs for Doege because the receivers start catching passes. Tech O line delivers the shut out that is no sacks allowed. Recall Harrell went down 2 x times in one series @ KU in 08 because of sitting in the pocket as it collapsed on him. Watching the game Tech vs. aTm last night saw Doege limp a little after getting stuffed on the attempted QB sneak in the4th period. I definitely want the WR’s and RB’s to carry the load in order to minimize the exposure of the starting QB to hits.
Reason #4 :: Pressure Receivers:
Is it possible the Tech CBs can execute pressman coverage scheme(s)? We don’t ever seem to do it except in the Red zone. Do we? Where is dedfischer when you need him. I need some analysis on picking a secondary coverage’s. In the end I still think the Raiders cornerbacks and safeties know they will be challenged and step up to deal with it.
Reason #5 :: Then Open It Up:
I liked what I saw from Seth Doege last week. He just needs his receiver (s) to catch the ball. He is accurate enough and he feels pressure move away from it while looking downfield. Guess those 5000 practice throws are coming in handy.
"do routine things routinely"
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