Double-T Nation Daily Diatribe :: 12.22.09

by Seth C on Dec 22, 2009 5:27 AM CST in Texas Tech News, Notes and Links

Game Tonight:
#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-1) vs. Stanford Cardinal (5-5)
Television: None
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: United Spirit Arena : Lubbock, Texas
Preview: 10:00 a.m. post :: Game Day Thread: 6:00 p.m. post

Rebound Game: Its becoming somewhat frustrating as the local Lubbock papers don't seem to be giving significant ink to the basketball or football team (maybe I'm up too early?). We as DTN'ers must push forward and if there is a preview by the LAJ I'll try and post a FanShot during work.

In any event, the LAJ's Courtney Linehan has an article about some of the players reacting to the drop in the rankings after the loss to Wichita St. and head coach Pat Knight wants to continue the good start:

"People ask how come teams are ranked higher with two or three losses, and we only have one," Knight said after his radio show on Monday. "It’s all about how you start out."

And SF Mike Singletary wants to continue to raise up in the rankings:

"People were saying how we hadn’t beaten anybody that was really good, so now we’re No. 23, which is good but not where we want to be," Singletary said. "We’ve got to keep getting better so we can move back up in the rankings."

No Television: Per the official site, there's no mention that the game is even remotely on television. This is also frustrating and it seems that two teams from major conferences should be on some sort of television.

Fehoko Update: V.J. Fehoko (the #4 ranked inside linebacker in the country) and some other potential commitments visited Texas Tech this weekend and ESPN's Greg Biggins has a fairly detailed update regarding where he stands:

"Texas Tech is definitely the team to beat right now," Fehoko said. "I had a perfect visit, it was just an incredible time. First off, my host was my brother Sam and it was great to see him again. We're really close and growing up, he was like my idol so it was just a great experience to be around him again.

"I love the coaching staff and they were my first offer so they have always been high on my list. I visited unofficially before but this visit was way different. All the coaches were great and never pressured me the entire visit. Other schools I've talked with kind of put on a hard sell to me and tried to get me to commit but that's not really my style and the Tech coaches were just so easy to be around.

"I spent a lot of time with Coach (Mike) Leach along with Coach (Brian) Mitchell, who's my recruiting coach and Coach (Ruffin) McNeil, who's the defensive coordinator. They're all great guys and I have such a great comfort level with them. Coach Mitchell is a family friend and they told me they have big plans for me in that defense so that's exciting to hear."

Don't get too excited just yet, but it sounds as if V.J. had a good time this weekend.

Pre-Spring Discussion: Head on over to TR where dedficsher is projecting the pre-spring starters and it's hard to argue with any of his picks. As an aside, I figure DTN will delve into the spring positional depth charts, recruiting and things of that nature after the bowl game.

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V J Fehoko

I am looking forward to seeing him play, where ever he lands, I do hope it is TTU. In spite of the optimism of his comments above, I bet they were similar just after his last visit to what ever other school it was. I don’t mean to say that I take him as wishy washy as much as one who tells the press good things about a visit because he sees it as the right thing to do.

Of course he is is going to enjoy being in Lubbock to visit with his brother. He appears smart enough to compliment the hosts of the visit who exhibited good hospitality.

“Texas Tech is definitely the team to beat right now,” LOL, I can see where this quote can go a lot of directions. “definitely” and “right now” actually are opposing thoughts….although the also speak only to the moment…which is about all any one can do.

Yet, I do have a good feeling about him coming to TTU.

by TallMike on Dec 22, 2009 8:18 AM CST reply actions

I really feel like V.J. having his brother at Tech makes all the difference and will lead to his LOI to Tech. The comfort level that he would gain coming into this program knowing how it works not to mention the high regard the coaches are giving him should be the determining factor. Other schools will also have a great dog and pony show but in the end I feel like he’s a Red Raider. If all these recruits stick Tech will have many years of talented athletes to pull from. Signing day can’t come soon enough.

"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach

by Raider1992 on Dec 22, 2009 9:20 AM CST reply actions

First it’s weird talking about 2010 before the Alamo Bowl is even played.

But the future is just a whole stirng of nows..

IRT to the Tortilla retort article by dedfischer about next year’s lineup.

The next challenge is to rebuild the defensive line and solidify the Raider O line. Graduation is a fact and we love it that Leach sends the men on their way with a degree. Mack Brown can dissemble all he wants but he and Bob stoops are pretty much stinking the place up with regards to academics for their charges. But the 65 – 75 defensive snaps and 75 – 90 offensive snaps have to be covered down on by somebody. The big eaters who emerge will either lead the team to a stellar season or allow the entire effort to wallow in mediocrity. Coach Sadler and his crew of grad assistants – Great work getting 30 plus sacks from the def line in 09 that was an A + and Coach Moore your unit earned a flat "d" minus grade – graded strictly on the isolated stats of a nicked up O line allowing 30 sacks of the Raider QB’s. Yes the signal caller is partially responsible. Great work cobbling a line up together which kept the scoring attack statistically leading the NCAA. (Yes it’s a half full glass) I am doubtful that a 2010 run on the Big 12 championship game will be spearheaded by a 30 sack surrendered statistic. People think the "Air Raid" is about passing between Wide out and QB’s in fact it always been about blockers stoning def linemen. The longer and more often the raider offensive linemen manhandle the opposing def rushers the more the Def backs have to run. The more the D backs run the better the completions percentage. There is an inverse relationship between success on Tech offensive line of scrimmage and completions. All I want for Christmas is 2 plus deep Raider defensive line rotation averaging 3 plus sacks a Big 12 contest. That’s not so much to ask for. :)

"do routine things routinely"

by centexraider on Dec 22, 2009 11:40 AM CST reply actions

The rivals site says we picked up a DT commit. Don’t know who, but our class is just about full, especially if VJ Fehoko chooses wisely. He would be #26.

by pcrawttu on Dec 22, 2009 1:28 PM CST reply actions

You mean Dartwan Bush?

He’s a defensive end. Donald Langley is the DT commit (JUCO) but that’s kind of old news.

by jeffinhouston on Dec 22, 2009 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks. I already knew about Langley. When I typed it, I meant to type “DL” not “DT”. They didn’t specify the position in their headline and just wrote DL, but that was my mistake. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part that it would have been Eric Humphrey. But this Bush kid is sounding pretty stout also, so it’s all good with me.

by pcrawttu on Dec 22, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions

Fehoko said almost the exact same thing about the University of Washington in early Dec. As with all these kids, lets wait until the day after signing day to get too fired up.

by Tech92 on Dec 22, 2009 2:46 PM CST reply actions