You're probably thinking that tonight's game doesn't mean much and I'll probably write this way too much this season, but it's different on the road.  It's going to be a battle, despite the fact that on paper, TCU may not be the most talented team.  It's different on the road and should be a good game.

Targets on Back:  DT's Mike Graham writes that the Red Raiders are now the team with the target on their back as they travel to Ft. Worth tonight.  Head coach Pat Knight thinks it's all about mentally preparing themselves:

"It’s a mental approach," Knight said. "Look at all the pro teams, college teams in any sport that have a big game. I’ve talked with my dad about this, and you can’t let them get caught up in all the publicity."

PG John Roberson knows that Texas Tech's #23 ranking doesn't matter if the winning doesn't continue:

"One of the bulletin boards in our locker room says ‘If it’s on the schedule, you might as well win it,’" he said. "There’s not going to be any letdown. I’m not going to let that happen. I mean, if we lose against TCU, none of this means anything."

Big 12 Links:  DT's Steve Walinik with his Big 12 power poll (he has Texas Tech at #4 in the conference) . . . SportingNews Mike DeCourcy ranks the Big 12 (Texas Tech #2?) . . .

Potts to Start:  FWST's Dwain Price writes that head captain Mike Leach said that QB Taylor Potts will start against Michigan St.:

"I'm going to start Potts (against Michigan State),'' Leach said. "He's steady and I need to settle on one (quarterback) and quit pulling them in and out, and then in the spring they'll battle it out.''

I think this is the right move, let Potts finish the year, allow QB Steven Sheffield to heal completely, and let them all fight it out in the spring.  It may not be the most popular decision, but we also have no idea as to Sheffield's status (although he's dressed for every game, and played in the Oklahoma St. game) and how well or how much he's healed.  I've got no problem with Leach allowing Potts to finish what he's started.

2008 Heisman = Injustice:  FWST's Dwain Price also has the story that Leach is not short on opinions as he also noted that the 2008 Heisman was "a total injustice":

"There's no question Graham and Crabtree should have been invited to New York (last year),'' Leach said, ironically from New York, where he'll be attending Tuesday's College Football Hall of Fame ceremonies. "It was a total injustice they didn't bring them, there's no question, but they do what they do.

"The Heisman is solely a popularity contest. It is what it is. If folks have momentum at the end (of the season) and the rest, and then have plenty of popularity, they're going to be invited (to New York) and whoever is the most popular is going to win it.''

Since the Heisman folks are going to do their thing, BCS style, here's just a minor suggestion from Leach.

"What they should have done a long time ago, they ought to just move the Heisman Trophy (ceremonies) until after the national championship game,'' Leach said. "Whoever's the MVP in the national championship game they ought to just give him the Heisman.

"That's what they're trying to do anyway, except their dates don't line up.''

9,000 of 11,000 Allotted Tickets = Gone:  LAJ's Don Williams writes that 9,000 of Texas Tech's allotted 11,000 tickets are gone:

"Anything north of 65 (thousand) means we had to put in standing room only (seats),’’ Hill said Monday. "That’s my favorite, when we have to buy barstools and bake cookies for the fire marshal.’’

Tech seems to be doing its part. From an initial allotment of 11,016 tickets, Tech pre-sold 6,000 before the bowl destination was known and then another 3,000 late Sunday and Monday, according to Dave Welsh, the Tech assistant athletic director for ticket operations. Welsh said Tech’s allotment of lower-level and club seats are sold out, leaving, at the moment, only $55 upper-level sideline tickets.

"Right now, the buzz is tremendous,’’ Hill said late Monday afternoon. "The Red Raider fans have not disappointed in the first 24 hours after the team announcement.’’

McNeill Talks Defense:  The DT has defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill talking defense:

Michigan St. Spartan and Big 12 Links:  The Only Colors has a quick statistical comparison between the Spartans and the Red Raiders . . . RA's ayleein with some thoughts on Texas Tech going to the Alamo Bowl . . thank goodness the DMN has Staff and Wire Reports working hard on covering this game rather than an actual reporter (I know, it's not the writers fault, but it is) . . . BOTC's TB writes that you should not view Nebraska as sympathetic victim . . . RRS.com's Tech Talk sat down with Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal . . .