2010 NCAA Football Preview: Texas Tech
After their season in 2009, the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team would like nothing more than to forget it and move on. After finishing in the top 25 in the nation last season, that may come as somewhat of a surprise to the casual observer.
However, after the controversy that surrounded the end of the season with now former head coach Mike Leach and a player that was injured, the team has stain on it that it would love to get rid of. Leach apparently thought a player was faking a concussion and hurled abuse at him and locked him in a dark shed until he was willing the play.
They hired another quality coach in Tommy Tuberville to replace Leach which will certainly help. The best way to get people to forget the bad times of days past is to start of the next season on the right note—winning.
With the players the team has in place, those looking to gain time, and their new head coach and offensive coordinator, the Red Raiders are confident that they can do more than maintain the top 25 ranking they earned last season; they can improve upon it.
Offense
Some fans of the Red Raiders may be a little concerned with the hiring of Tuberville. Under Leach and his high flying spread offense the Red Raiders had never been more successful. Tuberville has been known to like to feature a running game; rather than rock the boat he has opted to continue running the spread, and has brought in a new offensive coordinator, Neal Brown, to help him do that.
Tuberville’s affection for the run is likely to still rub off a little on the team’s offense which will be just fine with a running back like Baron Batch in the backfield. Batch rushed for 884 yards in 2009 on only 168 carries with 14 touchdowns; he also tacked on another 57 receptions for an additional 395 yards and one touchdown. It would not be surprising to see his numbers pick up dramatically in both areas.
With two capable quarterbacks in Taylor Potts and Stephen Sheffield the offense will not have a problem being led. Where they may have some issues is in opening doors for Batch and giving Potts and Sheffield time to throw. Only one starter returns in 2010, but then again that could also be a plus; last season they ranked 115th in rushing averaging only 84 yards a game.
Defense
While Tuberville may not be looking to alter the offense too much he is making a change on the defensive side of the ball. After running a 4-3 for years, the Red Raiders will be lining up in a 3-4 for 2010. In to help make the transition go as easy and smooth as possible is new defensive coordinator James Willis previously of Alabama.
Their secondary was their strong point in 2009 and looks like it will be in 2010 as well. Last season they only gave up a dozen touchdown receptions, and that was while facing some of the most prolific passers in the nation. Three of four starters return in the secondary, both safeties (Franklin Mitchem and Cody Davis) and cornerback LaRon Moore. Likely to find time at the other corner are D.J. Johnson and Will Ford.
One thing the team will look to do more of this season will be pressuring the quarterback via the blitz. While they will do so from a variety of positions, there are two players who will likely shine. Brian Duncan will move from the middle linebacker spot where he led the team in tackles the last two seasons to an outside backer/ defensive end position. New lineman Scott Smith, a 6’ 7” 275 pound player from Butler County Community College will benefit from this scheme as well.
The Red Raiders will have to battle inexperience in both the offensive and defensive lines with only one starter returning for each. Tuberville does appear to have more than enough talent to fill his needs and will likely lead the Red Raiders to another top 25 finish in 2010.
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