Texas Tech Red Raiders
Overall Rank: #35
#6 Big 12
Texas Tech Team Page
2010 Record: (8-5, 3-5)
2010 Bowl: TicketCity Bowl vs. Northwestern (W 45-38)
Coach: Tommy Tuberville (8-5 at Texas Tech, 118-65 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Neal Brown
Defensive Coordinator: Chad Glasgow
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Eric Stephens, RB, 666 yards
Passing: Seth Doege, QB, 58 yards
Receiving: Alex Torres, WR, 481 yards
Tackles: Cody Davis, S, 87
Sacks: Sam Fehoko, LB, 2
Interceptions: Jarvis Phillips, CB, 4
Other Key Returnees: LB Brett Dewhurst, G Lonnie Edwards, WR Jacoby Franks, S D.J. Johnson, DT Donald Langley, CB Derrick Mays, OT Mickey Okaford, S Tre’ Porter, WR Tramain Swindall, OT LaAdrian Waddle, WR Austin Zouzalik
Key Losses: RB Baron Batch, LB Bront Bird, LB Brian Duncan, LB Julius Howard, WR Lyle Leong, WR Detron Lewis, S Frank Mitchem, QB Taylor Potts, DT Colby Whitlock
Coach Tommy Tubberville is bringing in the talent to compete in the Big 12. The air-it-out offense is on the way out, but this is still a team with some dynamic playmakers who can make the offense one of the best in the nation. The Red Raiders have established themselves as a consistent bowl team and that has not changed, and will not change, under Coach Tubberville.
Strengths:
It is still the offense that makes this team dangerous. Quarterback Seth Doege is taking over for two year starter Taylor Potts. Doege does not have as strong of an arm as his predecessor, but he is more mobile and is not opposed to tucking and running. However, there are plenty of passing options for Doege despite the absence of Lyle Leong and Detron Lewis. Alex Torres, Jacoby Franks, Tramain Swindall and Austin Zouzalik are all experienced wideouts. The addition of junior college transfer Marcus Kennard will push all the receivers and it remains a muddled situation as to who will emerge as Doege’s favorite targets. Like Doege replacing Potts, Eric Stephens is more than capable of replacing running back Baron Batch. Stephens put up some solid numbers a year ago, tallying 653 yards and six touchdowns on 127 carries. However, Stephens will not have to go at it alone. Aaron Crawford is an experienced rusher, but freshman Ronnie Daniels is the talk of Lubbock and will certainly find the ball in his hands one way or another. The return of all five starting linemen should give Doege plenty of time to get adjusted and stay in the pocket and pave the way for a much improved ground game.
Weaknesses:
The Red Raiders defense was the worst in the conference last season and they have made some major changes. Gone is the 3-4 scheme and former TCU safeties coach Chad Glasgow is bringing the 4-2-5 to Texas Tech. The lack of depth on the line last year was a huge problem and adding another body to that line will not help right away. Coach Tubberville hit the junior college ranks to fill the holes and Scott Smith and Leon Mackey will be asked to contribute immediately. Sophomores Cqulin Hubert and Daniel Cobb, along with senior Sam Fehoko will battle it out for the two starting linebacker positions. The secondary that was consistently torched a year ago brings back a wealth of young players, but they will need that experience to turn into production if the defense is going to drastically improve in the new system.
The Bottom Line:
By most accounts, the Red Raiders have brought in their best recruiting class ever. Some junior college transfers have been brought in to fill some immediate needs, mostly on the defensive line, but this team has some freshmen who can make an impact too. The defensive change would normally be a cause for concern in the short term, but really the defense cannot get much worse. This defense has more speed and if they can get any pressure on the opposing quarterback, they will be much better. The offense needs to get used to Doege, but he has already started turning into a leader on the field and that will not change in the fall.
Projected Bowl: Holiday Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 141.31 (75th in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 318.92 (7, 3)
Total Offense: 460.23 (15, 4)
Scoring Offense: 33.08 (23, 4)
Rushing Defense: 162.54 (69, 8)
Pass Defense: 293.77 (118, 12)
Total Defense: 456.31 (114, 12)
Scoring Defense: 30.92 (93, 11)
Turnover Margin: -.23 (69, 9)
Sacks: 1.92 (67, 8)
Sacks Allowed: 1.62 (42, 5)
Madness 2011 FBS Football Recruit Rankings:
#84 Jace Amaro
#170 Kenny Williams
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