Copy Cat U vs. Red Raiders

Since the Okie Lite game last year, our beloved Red Raiders have been in a funk. In this calendar year, Texas Tech is just 6-6 when you throw in the line drive field goal by Alabama that sent us home without Cotton Bowl vindication. It has been a rough ride of which Tech fans are not too familiar with.

Here's why: Tech is no longer overlooked. Two seasons ago, Sonny Cumbie and the Red Raiders came to San Diego and punched out California in the Holiday Bowl. Then, the Raiders followed it up with a a string of wins that ended to eventual National Champion Texas in Austin. Even though Tech finished off the year with a win over Oklahoma to get the Cotton Bowl berth, the glaring loss was to Okie Lite. The Cowboys only Conference win last season.

I honestly think that State Coach Mike Gundy figured out how to solve Mike Leach's Air Raid Offense, and since then most successful teams against Tech run similar schemes to the one first seen in Stillwater last season. Its just a hunch and I am obviously omitting other aspects, but I saw similar looks this season from TCU, Missouri, and Oklahoma. UT abandoned there blitz attack after the first half, and Tech never scored again.

The defense that Alabama fielded last year was tough and given the time of preparation was able to completely solve the Tech offense. It was similar in scheme to Okie Lite but better given the pressure the Bama front four were able to create. This season the Tech offensive line has kept pressure off, but what is missing?

It is a matter of personnel. Jarret Hicks has been missing most of the season with eligibility and now injury concerns. He was instrumental in providing the fade route threat that burned Cal so many times two seasons ago. Also, Tech is missing a Tight End. Past season saw Mickey Peters, Preston Hartfield, and Bristol Olomua providing a bigger target over the middle that linebackers had a tough time covering. Tech did alot of running with the bigger tight ends also. With a linebacker dropped to coverage, delay handoffs and screens are more effective. With nobody fulfilling that role, two weapons have been taken away. Tech is also lacking a consistent slip screen play that Nemehiah Glover, Wes Welker, and Trey Haverty were so good at converting into big chunks of yards. Finally, Tech really doesn't have a deep threat. Dont get me wrong, our recieving corp is great in talent but it seems that it just isn't the right mix of talent.

When you have a variety of different weapons and plays to throw at a team, it becomes more difficult to defend. The Tech offense at the end of 2004 had all of those weapons in some form. The 2006 team has arguably better talent but not the variety vital in completely crushing a defensive scheme. I think Coach Gundy figured that out.

Leaving that aside, Tech needs to score alot to beat the Orange Aggies. They looked great against Baylor (who hasn't?) and Nebraska. They have also looked terrible against Houston and Texas. The narrowly lost to A&M at home in overtime and bring an offense to Lubbock that is on an absolute tear. Maybe our defense can again cause turnovers. I dont see Okie Lite blowing through gaping holes like they did to Baylor last weekend, but there will be some. The game belongs to the Red Raiders if they can score for 4 quarters and stop Bobby Reid more than 6 times.

Texas Tech 41 Okie Lite 40

Other Big XII games:

Baylor 1 Oklahoma 0-NCAA makes OU forfeit the 2006 season.

Kansas State 28 Kansas 24

Missouri 27 Iowa State 10