Texas Tech Red Raiders 2008 Preview

Coach: Mike Leach (65-37) Ninth Year
Last Year: 9-4, 4-4 Big 12 South, third of six 
Returning Starters : Offense 10*, Line 4 | Defense 8, Line 4

Three Things You Should Know
1) Start with the crazy individual stats -- Graham Harrell (5,705 yds, 48 TDs, 14 INTs) and Michael Crabtree (134 rec, 1962 yds and 22 TDS).
2) Okay, you already knew that one. How about this? Texas Tech hasn't won a conference title since 1955.
3) Phil Steele claims that Tech led the Big 12 in total defense over that last eight games in 2007. With the four DL back, maybe Tech's defense is something to think about.

Trends
Tech is 5-0 in Lawrence all-time ... against the Tech, Texas & OU rotation KU is 3-15 ... KU has played that two-year cycle three times and it's gets worse each time -- '96-'97 (2-4), '00-'01 (1-5), '04-'05 (0-6) ... therefore, you are correct -- Mark Mangino has never won against this rotation while at KU.

The Game
This is a big one. The 47-50 OT loss at CU in '03 or the 17-20 fourth quarter meltdown at Northwestern in 2004* would likely be the two most viable candidates to qualify as the first official crushing loss of the Mangino Era. However, the 31-30 home loss to Tech (one week after NW) took Jayhawk football heartbreak to a new level and we got to see it on the home field. Most fans thought that was as low as it could get. Luckily though, the Texas game later in the year taught us about the depths of college football.**

So, yeah ... the last time Tech was in Lawrence we lead 30-5 in the first half and found a way to lose. It's all hazy now, but I didn't enjoy it. So, let the 2008 Mini-Revenge Tour*** begin. This will be homecoming for KU, but we'll be returning from the battle in Norman, OK. Tech will be at the end of three-of-four on the road and KU will represent the toughest challenge to that point for the Red Raiders. So, who has the edge? KU has shown very little ability to control capable true spread teams. That's priority one for 2008, but if they don't get a pass rush going it won't happen. Let's just say they've got to get it done because this game is not only the pivotal point to the season, it is also the prep game for Mizzou.

"Pivotal" you ask? Sure. For one, only Oklahoma is allowed to lose to Tech without being labeled a fraud. Secondly, either you come in with a sparkling record and you'll need this one to stay in the overall race or we're carrying a few too many losses and a win will be needed to kick off the final four game drive for a quality bowl.

2008 Texas Tech Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 E. Washington  
Sept. 6, 2008 at Nevada  
Sept. 13, 2008 SMU  
Sept. 20, 2008 Massachusetts  
Oct. 4, 2008 at Kansas State 
Oct. 11, 2008 Nebraska  
Oct. 18, 2008 at Texas A&M
Oct. 25, 2008 at Kansas  
Nov. 1, 2008 Texas 
Nov. 8, 2008 OK State 
Nov. 22, 2008 at Oklahoma  
Nov. 29, 2008 Baylor

2007 Results
W at SMU 49-9
W Texas-El Paso 45-31
W at Rice 59-24
L at OK State 49-45
W Northwestern St. 75-7
W Iowa State 42-17 
W Texas A&M 35-7
L at Missouri 41-10
L Colorado 31-26
W at Baylor 38-7
L at Texas 59-43
W Oklahoma 34-27
W at Virginia 31-28

*I was there for that and didn't enjoy it.

**Until 2006 arrived and we spent a half season in hell -- Toledo, Nebraska, A&M, OSU, Baylor

***Preceded by the 2007 Maximum Revenge Tour -- Toledo, Nebraska, A&M, OSU, Baylor