When will people stop dismissing the Texas Tech offense as gimmicky and realize that it's just plain good? Critics like to point out that it's not a tough offense and not conducive to a power running game. They also like to dismiss the attack saying it's a fluke and a horrible attack to try and win consistently with.
Facts are facts; if you could have the number one offense in America and number four scoring attack, wouldn't you want it? Who give a flying fig about balance when you're putting up more than 81 yards per game more than the number two offense in America? It's time to give head coach Mike Leach and his staff their due for the amazing job they've done. Now just imagine what Texas Tech football would be like with a defense.
If experience counts for anything, this should be the best Red Raider defense Lubbock has seen in a long time with a scary-good pass rush, led by Adell Duckett, and an experienced linebacking corps. After giving up yards and points almost as fast as the offense could gain them last year, all the D needs to do is tighten up a smidge and Tech will be a factor in the Big XII South. If nothing else, expect another fun year with tons of fireworks, and a continued lack of respect for this amazing offense.
The Schedule: Did Texas Tech do something to offend someone in the Big XII scheduling department? There's only one true home game in the first five while being forced to play at Kansas, Nebraska and at Kansas State from the North is just plain mean. At least Tech has the honor of having college football's toughest October.
Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Taurean Henderson. It's easy to overlook just how important Henderson is to the offense as a slick runner and phenomenal receiver out of the backfield. Even though Johnnie Mack is a good backup, Henderson might be the team's most indispensable player.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Adell Duckett. Duckett is a pass rushing machine with 14 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss last year bringing his three-year total up to 24 sacks and 40 tackles for loss. He's a decent run defender, but it's all about getting to the quarterback for the 265-pound senior.
Key player to a successful season: Is there another team in America you'd rather play quarterback for? You'll put up huge numbers and have people all over America talking about whether you're good or not. Four players will vie for the honor of running college football's highest octane show with senior Sonny Cumbie and JUCO superstar Robert Johnson the main contenders. Redshirt freshman Phillip Daugherty and sophomore Cody Hodges are each equally in the race.
The season will be a success if ... Tech wins eight games. The schedule is brutal, but it's time to start setting the bar higher for a program looking to take a big step forward. The year will also be a success if the defense starts to make strides to respectability.
Key game: Nov. 13 at Texas A&M. A&M will be looking for a rebound season and should be decent by the end of the season. The final road date of the year could be a must-win for a good bowl game.
2003 Fun Stats
- Average yards per pass: Opponents 8.1 - Texas Tech 7.9
- Passing touchdowns: Texas Tech 53 - Opponents 20
- Fumbles: Opponents 27 (lost 11) - Texas Tech 23 (lost 13)
Facts are facts; if you could have the number one offense in America and number four scoring attack, wouldn't you want it? Who give a flying fig about balance when you're putting up more than 81 yards per game more than the number two offense in America? It's time to give head coach Mike Leach and his staff their due for the amazing job they've done. Now just imagine what Texas Tech football would be like with a defense.
If experience counts for anything, this should be the best Red Raider defense Lubbock has seen in a long time with a scary-good pass rush, led by Adell Duckett, and an experienced linebacking corps. After giving up yards and points almost as fast as the offense could gain them last year, all the D needs to do is tighten up a smidge and Tech will be a factor in the Big XII South. If nothing else, expect another fun year with tons of fireworks, and a continued lack of respect for this amazing offense.
The Schedule: Did Texas Tech do something to offend someone in the Big XII scheduling department? There's only one true home game in the first five while being forced to play at Kansas, Nebraska and at Kansas State from the North is just plain mean. At least Tech has the honor of having college football's toughest October.
Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Taurean Henderson. It's easy to overlook just how important Henderson is to the offense as a slick runner and phenomenal receiver out of the backfield. Even though Johnnie Mack is a good backup, Henderson might be the team's most indispensable player.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Adell Duckett. Duckett is a pass rushing machine with 14 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss last year bringing his three-year total up to 24 sacks and 40 tackles for loss. He's a decent run defender, but it's all about getting to the quarterback for the 265-pound senior.
Key player to a successful season: Is there another team in America you'd rather play quarterback for? You'll put up huge numbers and have people all over America talking about whether you're good or not. Four players will vie for the honor of running college football's highest octane show with senior Sonny Cumbie and JUCO superstar Robert Johnson the main contenders. Redshirt freshman Phillip Daugherty and sophomore Cody Hodges are each equally in the race.
The season will be a success if ... Tech wins eight games. The schedule is brutal, but it's time to start setting the bar higher for a program looking to take a big step forward. The year will also be a success if the defense starts to make strides to respectability.
Key game: Nov. 13 at Texas A&M. A&M will be looking for a rebound season and should be decent by the end of the season. The final road date of the year could be a must-win for a good bowl game.
2003 Fun Stats
- Average yards per pass: Opponents 8.1 - Texas Tech 7.9
- Passing touchdowns: Texas Tech 53 - Opponents 20
- Fumbles: Opponents 27 (lost 11) - Texas Tech 23 (lost 13)
