on centexraider’s fanpost about Rivals’ Yeager. ’nuff said.

Is that no one really cares if we are ranked to begin the season next year. I, for one, will be furious if this is the case. I’ve always loved seeing a ranking next to "Texas Tech or “TTU” on the scores during broadcasts. You can imagine how excited I was when there was a big 2 by it last year!

Ranking Tech number 25 is about right. Of course I want to see us do better, and I think probably will. We’ll probably be ranked in the top 20 some time in the season. I just hope we can hang onto it and maybe even dip down into the top 10.

Because of the success Texas Tech has had during Mike Leach’s regime, I think Tech is starting to receive a better respect from all factions. That does not mean they are fully aware of where this year’s team should be ranked, but that we are worthy of being “considered” for being listed within the top 25. I expect some doubt from others, and one reason for that could be their negative feelings concerning the Air Raid offense. Many simply don’t like it or believe in it. As a result, they prefer to place teams that run more “conventional” style offenses above us.

It is nice that Wilner has at least placed us in the top 25 of his list. The thing about being placed low in a poll is that it becomes very difficult to break into the top 10, much less the top 5, of any poll. Flip side is that because of the lower ranking, some teams may not take Tech as seriously as they should, which could lead to an upset or two during the season. I think all Big-12 teams are somewhat aware of Tech’s capabilities, so they should all go up agaonst us knowing they must play hard, mistake-free football to defeat us. Our ace in the hole this year could be the new-look defense. By that I mean the added play selections that I am sure McNeil will employ this year as opposed to last year, due mainly to added depth, speed and athleticism. While the experience level may not be higher, the overall player abilities should negate a dropoff there and possibly have better results.

By season end, I feel we will be inside the top 15. With an upset or two to our credit and no letdowns against lesser teams, we could move up higher, maybe get into a New-Year’s Day bowl again. It just appears we could have the opportunity for a really good year again, but also could be worse than expected. Let us hope the team playes this year with a great attitude and desire to excel well beyond anyone esle’s projections. It’s all conjecture right now, but I, as a Red Raider fan, choose to be as possitive as I can. “GO TECH!”

Personal opinion aside on if we do/don’t deserve to be ranked in the pre-season polls…it’s awesome to see the Tech fan base FINALLY have high expectations regardless of it’s “our” year to get the pub. That attitude is what keeps programs like Texas, OU, USC, et al on the front burner…and that attitude eventually bleeds over to all parts of the football team.

I normally temper my expectations of any Tech football team until I see what they actually do on the field. Too many unquantifiable variables greatly contribute to a great (or terrible) season…chemistry, leadership, injuries, lucky bounces, disciplinary/academic issues, other teams’ problems or unexpected successes, etc.

Please practice liberal use of the space bar when posting. It makes your posts more legible.

Thank you.