Of course I only have this because I am such a "homer":
exas Preview
Jumpin' Jack Flash would have said this is a Gas, Gas, Gas. The 1960's rock classic sums up pretty well what's going on around Texas Tech these days.
There's national media talking about Tech. There's feature stories on the innovative Red Raider coach Mike Leach. People are believing the country's best offensive team ir wearing Red and Black. Most of all, there's a football game in Austin that has all kinds of ramifications.
We are heading down a path this program has rarely been on. Not just a win in Austin, but things like a Big 12 Conference championship, an undefeated season, and, dare we even say it, a national championship berth are available to be achieved.
How reachable those opportunities are is another subject. Texas is loaded with talent and experience, and there'll be no sneaking up on them. The 'Horns have said from the beginning this was their biggest home game of the year. We just happen to be bringing more to the table than was first anticipated.
With all the hoopla, this is just another game to Leach. It's the seventh game of 11 and it's against the orange team. He's learned to throw Big Game distractions into the waste basket. The question is, can the players?
"As a quarterback growing up, this is a game you want to play in," said Cody Hodges. If you are scared, there's something wrong with you. Whether you play college football or you're a fan of college football, this is a game you can get excited about. Regardless if you are a Tech fan or a Longhorn fan or anybody else, I think this is a game that you really want to watch because you have two really good teams -- two good offenses and two good defenses. If you enjoy football, why wouldn't you want to watch this game? I'm just glad to be a part of it. I'm not going to try to do too much. You can't make too much of it because then people tense up and you're not able to play. My big thing is to relax and enjoy it, and once the game starts, forget about everything else and just play. Probably in 10 or 20 years I'll think back and think, 'aw, that was such a great game', but if I'm too worried about other stuff my head will be filled with stuff it doesn't need to be."
Old Adages
If the old adage holds true that football games are won at the line of scrimmage, then it might be a rough day for the Red Raiders.
"Where they are best are in the offensive and defensive lines, said Leach. "That's what they do best. Where they are most impressive is in the lines."
Up front on offense, Texas starts two seniors and three juniors. Starting at left tackle, they are 6-7, 315; 6-3, 305; 6-5, 305; 6-6, 315; and 6-4, 329. Four started last year and three earned All-Big 12 honors. Rumor has it all five will be earning NFL paychecks one day.
Throw in a senior blocking fullback who is listed at 6-2, 245 and it looks like Texas might be thinking of establishing a physical running game before anything else. That's what happened last year when Cedric Benson ran for 168 yards and Vince Young sprinted for four touchdowns against Tech.
UT is loaded up front on defense as well. It is No. 3 in the nation in total defense and in the Top 10 in rushing defense, passing defense, and scoring defense. It already has matched its 16 quarterback sack total of all of last year. Defensive tackle Rodrique Wright, a second-team All-American last year, leads the group.
"They are big guys," Hodges said. "They are real athletic and they do put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. It will be a true test for our offense."
Old adages don't always hold true. It was during Darrell Royal's heyday that he coined the phrase, "When you pass, three things can happen and two are bad." Well, Texas Tech has been turning a lot of heads with that one good thing.
Some keys to the game
+ The Raider secondary, which has given weekly demonstrations from the School of Hard Knocks, must be disciplined enough to not leave pass coverage and come up when Vincent Young runs a play action pass.
+ When Vince Young does decide to run, limit missed tackles. At 6-5, 230, Young isn't easily brought down. Throw in the fact that he's probably the fastest player on the field, it makes hemming him in even more of a problem.
+ Running back Taurean Henderson must have some success. The versatile
+ senior will need to produce yards in order to keep the Texas defense
+ off balance. "We need to get the ball in Taurean's hands, whether
+ it's a designed run play, swings to the flat or a screen pass and let
+ him get behind our big offensive linemen. and make plays down field,"
+ said Hodges. "We need to be effective on first and second down and,
+ that way, it's not third and 15." Vince Young, meet Dwayne Slay.
+ Young excels at running. Slay excels at hitting. If Slay can
+ introduce himself to Young as he did to KSU quarterback Allan Evridge,
+ it could bring some tentativeness to the UT offense. It's a scene
+ Hodges says he hopes to witness. "I'm looking forward to it. I hope
+ Slay does get his shot. I know if I was a quarterback and I saw
+ Dwayne Slay's hits, I'd be scared to run. I'd think twice before I
+ left the pocket," Hodges said, perhaps sending a mental message to the
+ UT quarterback.
The Offensive Strategy
As usual, Texas Tech's plan for attacking the defense depends on what Texas tries to do.
"If they are going to try to play man on our receivers, we are going to throw the vertical routes just because we have big receivers who have proven to make catches," said Hodges. "But if they are dropping off, we're going to throw the quick, short passes. Whatever the defense is giving us, that's something we want to take advantage of. We want to make them change and then we'll change based on what they do." At Monday's press conference, Leach said he expects mostly zone coverage. He might have said, though, knowing that would get back to Texas coach Mack Brown.
Whatever the coverage is, the Texas secondary is like it's lines -- talented and experienced. All four defensive backs are in the 6-0 to 6-2 range, all between 200-205 pound range, and all are juniors and seniors.
"They are the best defense we've faced this year," Hodges said Monday. "I know their secondary is by far the best secondary we've seen. Hopefully, Coach Leach will come up with a great scheme. We'll see what happens."
It's Happened Before
Five times the Red Raiders have returned from Austin with a victory over Texas. Here's a highlight from each:
1955 -- Don Schmidt ran for two touchdowns -- one a 79-yarder -- and Texas lost for the first time in a home season opener 20-14.
1967 -- John Scovell ran for 176 yards -- still the most yards ever by a Tech quarterback -- and rushed for one TD and passed for another in Tech's first conference win in Austin 19-13.
1989 -- Jamie Gill overcame a third-and-26 situation late in the game with a 65-yard pass to Anthony Manyweather to spark a 24-17 victory.
1993 -- Marcus Coleman (now a Houston Texan) returned a pass interception 54 yards for a touchdown and Bam Morris rushed for 158 yards and two scores in a 31-22 win.
1997 -- Dane Johnson returned the second half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and Tech's Ricky Williams out-rushed Texas' Ricky Williams 131-80 in a 24-10 victory.
Raider Ruckus in Austin
The Austin Chapter of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and Wells Fargo will host the 2005 Raider Ruckus in Austin this weekend..
The pre-game party starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Maggie Mae's Rooftop patio on 6th and Trinity. Live music featuring the Hogg Maulies. No cover charge. Ages 21 and up.
The tailgate party starts Saturday at 11 a.m. at 15th Street between San Jacinto & Trinity (Lot 22). Beer, food and big screen TV's. Don't have a ticket? Bring a chair and watch the game from the tailgate area. If you want to reserve a spot for your car at the tailgate, be at the parking lot by 4 p.m. Friday. Each space is $5.
This and That
ESPN College GameDay with host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will be at Memorial Stadium Saturday. Their one-hour program starts at 9:30 a.m....The talent for the ABC national telecast at 2:30 p.m. is Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), and Jack Arute (sidelines)...In the Strange But True Category: In his eighth year at Texas, Mack Brown has yet to win a Big 12 Conference championship. Texas is riding a 13-game winning streak, the school's longest since 1963-64. Texas hasn't hosted a Top 10 opponent in Austin since 1996....Under Hype and Hoopla: This is the first time Texas Tech and Texas have met when they both were ranked in the Top 10. It's also the first time they played when both were undefeated more than three games deep into the season....Texas has won 21 straight Big 12 games at home and is 41-3 overall in Austin under Mack Brown...On a brighter note, Texas hasn't beaten an AP Top 10-ranked team in Austin since 1980...In the last 19 meetings between the two schools, Texas holds a slim 11-8 advantage...There's good news on the Raider defensive front. Starting tackle Ken Scott (6-3, 315, Jr.) returns after missing the Kansas State game with an injury.
'Til next time, Guns Up.
exas Preview
Jumpin' Jack Flash would have said this is a Gas, Gas, Gas. The 1960's rock classic sums up pretty well what's going on around Texas Tech these days.
There's national media talking about Tech. There's feature stories on the innovative Red Raider coach Mike Leach. People are believing the country's best offensive team ir wearing Red and Black. Most of all, there's a football game in Austin that has all kinds of ramifications.
We are heading down a path this program has rarely been on. Not just a win in Austin, but things like a Big 12 Conference championship, an undefeated season, and, dare we even say it, a national championship berth are available to be achieved.
How reachable those opportunities are is another subject. Texas is loaded with talent and experience, and there'll be no sneaking up on them. The 'Horns have said from the beginning this was their biggest home game of the year. We just happen to be bringing more to the table than was first anticipated.
With all the hoopla, this is just another game to Leach. It's the seventh game of 11 and it's against the orange team. He's learned to throw Big Game distractions into the waste basket. The question is, can the players?
"As a quarterback growing up, this is a game you want to play in," said Cody Hodges. If you are scared, there's something wrong with you. Whether you play college football or you're a fan of college football, this is a game you can get excited about. Regardless if you are a Tech fan or a Longhorn fan or anybody else, I think this is a game that you really want to watch because you have two really good teams -- two good offenses and two good defenses. If you enjoy football, why wouldn't you want to watch this game? I'm just glad to be a part of it. I'm not going to try to do too much. You can't make too much of it because then people tense up and you're not able to play. My big thing is to relax and enjoy it, and once the game starts, forget about everything else and just play. Probably in 10 or 20 years I'll think back and think, 'aw, that was such a great game', but if I'm too worried about other stuff my head will be filled with stuff it doesn't need to be."
Old Adages
If the old adage holds true that football games are won at the line of scrimmage, then it might be a rough day for the Red Raiders.
"Where they are best are in the offensive and defensive lines, said Leach. "That's what they do best. Where they are most impressive is in the lines."
Up front on offense, Texas starts two seniors and three juniors. Starting at left tackle, they are 6-7, 315; 6-3, 305; 6-5, 305; 6-6, 315; and 6-4, 329. Four started last year and three earned All-Big 12 honors. Rumor has it all five will be earning NFL paychecks one day.
Throw in a senior blocking fullback who is listed at 6-2, 245 and it looks like Texas might be thinking of establishing a physical running game before anything else. That's what happened last year when Cedric Benson ran for 168 yards and Vince Young sprinted for four touchdowns against Tech.
UT is loaded up front on defense as well. It is No. 3 in the nation in total defense and in the Top 10 in rushing defense, passing defense, and scoring defense. It already has matched its 16 quarterback sack total of all of last year. Defensive tackle Rodrique Wright, a second-team All-American last year, leads the group.
"They are big guys," Hodges said. "They are real athletic and they do put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. It will be a true test for our offense."
Old adages don't always hold true. It was during Darrell Royal's heyday that he coined the phrase, "When you pass, three things can happen and two are bad." Well, Texas Tech has been turning a lot of heads with that one good thing.
Some keys to the game
+ The Raider secondary, which has given weekly demonstrations from the School of Hard Knocks, must be disciplined enough to not leave pass coverage and come up when Vincent Young runs a play action pass.
+ When Vince Young does decide to run, limit missed tackles. At 6-5, 230, Young isn't easily brought down. Throw in the fact that he's probably the fastest player on the field, it makes hemming him in even more of a problem.
+ Running back Taurean Henderson must have some success. The versatile
+ senior will need to produce yards in order to keep the Texas defense
+ off balance. "We need to get the ball in Taurean's hands, whether
+ it's a designed run play, swings to the flat or a screen pass and let
+ him get behind our big offensive linemen. and make plays down field,"
+ said Hodges. "We need to be effective on first and second down and,
+ that way, it's not third and 15." Vince Young, meet Dwayne Slay.
+ Young excels at running. Slay excels at hitting. If Slay can
+ introduce himself to Young as he did to KSU quarterback Allan Evridge,
+ it could bring some tentativeness to the UT offense. It's a scene
+ Hodges says he hopes to witness. "I'm looking forward to it. I hope
+ Slay does get his shot. I know if I was a quarterback and I saw
+ Dwayne Slay's hits, I'd be scared to run. I'd think twice before I
+ left the pocket," Hodges said, perhaps sending a mental message to the
+ UT quarterback.
The Offensive Strategy
As usual, Texas Tech's plan for attacking the defense depends on what Texas tries to do.
"If they are going to try to play man on our receivers, we are going to throw the vertical routes just because we have big receivers who have proven to make catches," said Hodges. "But if they are dropping off, we're going to throw the quick, short passes. Whatever the defense is giving us, that's something we want to take advantage of. We want to make them change and then we'll change based on what they do." At Monday's press conference, Leach said he expects mostly zone coverage. He might have said, though, knowing that would get back to Texas coach Mack Brown.
Whatever the coverage is, the Texas secondary is like it's lines -- talented and experienced. All four defensive backs are in the 6-0 to 6-2 range, all between 200-205 pound range, and all are juniors and seniors.
"They are the best defense we've faced this year," Hodges said Monday. "I know their secondary is by far the best secondary we've seen. Hopefully, Coach Leach will come up with a great scheme. We'll see what happens."
It's Happened Before
Five times the Red Raiders have returned from Austin with a victory over Texas. Here's a highlight from each:
1955 -- Don Schmidt ran for two touchdowns -- one a 79-yarder -- and Texas lost for the first time in a home season opener 20-14.
1967 -- John Scovell ran for 176 yards -- still the most yards ever by a Tech quarterback -- and rushed for one TD and passed for another in Tech's first conference win in Austin 19-13.
1989 -- Jamie Gill overcame a third-and-26 situation late in the game with a 65-yard pass to Anthony Manyweather to spark a 24-17 victory.
1993 -- Marcus Coleman (now a Houston Texan) returned a pass interception 54 yards for a touchdown and Bam Morris rushed for 158 yards and two scores in a 31-22 win.
1997 -- Dane Johnson returned the second half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and Tech's Ricky Williams out-rushed Texas' Ricky Williams 131-80 in a 24-10 victory.
Raider Ruckus in Austin
The Austin Chapter of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and Wells Fargo will host the 2005 Raider Ruckus in Austin this weekend..
The pre-game party starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Maggie Mae's Rooftop patio on 6th and Trinity. Live music featuring the Hogg Maulies. No cover charge. Ages 21 and up.
The tailgate party starts Saturday at 11 a.m. at 15th Street between San Jacinto & Trinity (Lot 22). Beer, food and big screen TV's. Don't have a ticket? Bring a chair and watch the game from the tailgate area. If you want to reserve a spot for your car at the tailgate, be at the parking lot by 4 p.m. Friday. Each space is $5.
This and That
ESPN College GameDay with host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will be at Memorial Stadium Saturday. Their one-hour program starts at 9:30 a.m....The talent for the ABC national telecast at 2:30 p.m. is Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), and Jack Arute (sidelines)...In the Strange But True Category: In his eighth year at Texas, Mack Brown has yet to win a Big 12 Conference championship. Texas is riding a 13-game winning streak, the school's longest since 1963-64. Texas hasn't hosted a Top 10 opponent in Austin since 1996....Under Hype and Hoopla: This is the first time Texas Tech and Texas have met when they both were ranked in the Top 10. It's also the first time they played when both were undefeated more than three games deep into the season....Texas has won 21 straight Big 12 games at home and is 41-3 overall in Austin under Mack Brown...On a brighter note, Texas hasn't beaten an AP Top 10-ranked team in Austin since 1980...In the last 19 meetings between the two schools, Texas holds a slim 11-8 advantage...There's good news on the Raider defensive front. Starting tackle Ken Scott (6-3, 315, Jr.) returns after missing the Kansas State game with an injury.
'Til next time, Guns Up.
