Expectations

My analysis starts by simply stating, this 2006 Texas Tech football team underachieved to our expectations. Maybe the expectations were too high after a 2nd place finish in the Big 12 and a Cotton Bowl berth last season. Few could argue that a better receiving corps could be found in the nation. I thought our experienced defense would be good, not great, but good. The new Quarterback was one of the highest rated recruits in school history. Great things were gotten with less talent in Lubbock. We had already come along way in just a few seasons and the schedule looked favorable for a great run.

Then the ineligibility plague hit, costing Tech several of its prize recruits and one impact defensive lineman. Jarrett Hicks, the most talented receiver in school history was also out pending yet another waiver from the NCAA. Jarrett would get back but only after the dam busted in Ft. Worth. The losses were in key areas and they hurt Tech all season.

Then the season started, a nice win over the improved SMU Mustangs in Lubbock. I thought we were off to the races again, but I was so wrong.

Tech squeaked by the UTEP game in El Paso in overtime. Had the ball not doinked in off the upright for a field goal, Tech may have very well lost that game.

3 points in Ft. Worth. By far the worst loss in the Mike Leach era. Packed and partisan Tech away game. It was terrible to watch and I suspect that the Frogs will never let us forget that game. Tech never crossed the 50 yard line in the second half. Despite the good performance from a defense left on the field most of the game, 30 points is rarely enough for us, much less THREE.

Two weeks later we fool Texas A&M again. We also fooled ourselves. Tech had that game won easily had it scored in the second half. We let the Aggies back and then let them take the lead. Only the remarkable play at the end saved the day for Tech. I was hoping that they had finally shaken the inconsistent play. The highlight of my season was being there in person. It is always great to beat the Aggies at Kyle Field.

The next week, Missouri is gifted two touchdowns from interceptions in back to back offensive series. The Homecoming crowd was stunned and angry at the performance. It only gets worse when the Red Raiders get blasted in Boulder by winless Colorado.

Expectations were that Iowa State would finish us off in Ames. But somehow our football team put together a great game and won. Probably the best overall performance of the season. The monkey was finally off the back with a 21-0 lead, at home, against the Defending National Champion Texas Longhorns.

The monkey got back on in the second half. Tech failed to score and Texas caught up and then passed us. Despite the obvious errors of Big 12 officials, Tech should have put them away anyway. We had them beaten.

We also had Oklahoma beaten in Norman, but again the offense fails to score in the second half. It's emotionally tough to have the giants down only to watch us cut the ropes, let them go, and watch them crush us.

Higher expectations do not include moral victories. Thankfully, Tech had just enough on Senior Day to beat back the last second throws in the end zone by Oklahoma State. Again, that game shouldn't have come to that.

I also forgot Baylor. To our teams credit, they put Texas aside and didn't forget to beat Baylor.

It was a tough season, and after it was fitting that we didn't know where we were going to play in a bowl game. We didn't know if our Coach was leaving. We didn't know who to blame, although many of us know how to shoot blind. When we finally found out our destination, we didn't really know what to expect from our opponent. Tech fans, if honest, didn't know what to expect from our own team.

So here we are, days after the greatest comeback in bowl history. I am so proud of our Texas Tech Red Raiders. They went through alot this season. In my opinion, they could have quit at any number of times this year and I think its a credit that they never did.

38-7 deficit with 7:47 to go in the third quarter after giving up an 18 play drive.

That is a mountain. After a year of not meeting expectations. Nobody but them really believed it could be climbed. Some will say different and I will flatly say they are not telling the truth. There is a lesson here. Maybe we shouldn't worry about expectations and instead believe we can achieve. That applies to more than just football.

I learned something else:
No matter the sport or the season, its always tough to be a Red Raider fan. That is what makes it fun.

I was going to finish by giving an in depth analysis and finger pointing of who needs praise, get fired, or is to blame for the overall season. But I think now I will skip it. Even though it appears we took two steps forward and two steps back this season, the victory in the Insight Bowl was a comeback.

My expectations for next season:


13-0 and playing for National Championship.





I want to thank my friend Helmut. Helmut and I attended the 2004 Holiday Bowl in San Diego and I think I speak for both of us when I state, that was the greatest moment in Texas Tech football for us. We have seen some great ones over the last 14 years, and we sure have been to some rough games too. It seems this season we had a tough loss every other week. But through it all, we still bleed the Scarlet and Black. Helmut is the man and always makes sure I have a seat. I appreciate it. Guns Up brother!