What's to prove
Tech has made some major steps to achieve parity with the Big 12 South's best. The Red Raiders tied for the division title last season with Oklahoma and Texas and recorded a memorable victory over the Longhorns in Lubbock. Coach Mike Leach eventually won his arm wrestling match with the administration and received a five-year, $12.7 million contract extension. His next challenge will be to compete with Texas and OU on a yearly basis for the division title. The Red Raiders have a way of finding players to fit their program, and new starter Taylor Potts might be the most physically talented QB of the Leach era.
Deep at ... running back and offensive line
Would you believe running back? Tech has all kinds of weapons, if it wants to use them. Baron Batch averaged an eye-catching 6.7 yards a carry last season while rushing for 758 yards. He also caught 45 passes out of the backfield. The Red Raiders have other options too. Aaron Crawford was impressive as a freshman in 2007 before getting injured two games into last season. Redshirt freshman Harrison Jeffers could provide a breakaway threat. Marlon Winn (6-6, 287) and Brandon Carter (6-7, 344) return from an offensive line that allowed just 13 sacks last season. Their presence should speed the retooling process.
Thin at ... defensive line and kicking
Somehow the Red Raiders are going to have to find a pass rush. Brandon Williams and McKinner Dixon departed after recording 21 combined sacks last season. And coach Mike Leach didn't include defensive end Brandon Sesay on the training camp roster. The kicking game is unproven and jumbled. College football's most famous contest winner, Matt Williams, will battle junior college transfer Brad Hicks for kicking duties. Donnie Carona, who struggled on field goals last season, is competing to replace punter Jonathan LaCour, suspended for the first six games. Also in the mix: walk-on Ryan Erxleben, the son of former Texas kicking standout Russell Erxleben.
Player to watch: Jamar Wall
Senior Jamar Wall has shown the ability to make plays as a record-setting running back at Plainview High School and as a cornerback at Tech. He had 62 tackles last season to go with two interceptions. Wall will need to take an even bigger role, coming off spring toe surgery. He will be the only returning starter in a unit that was a key part of Tech's rise last season. The likely replacements for all-conference safeties Darcel McBath and Daniel Charbonnet are junior Franklin Mitchem and freshman Cody Davis. Several players are competing for the other cornerback spot.
Circle this date
Texas Tech's defining moment of 2008 came against Texas. For different reasons, the Sept. 19 meeting in Austin this season could be an early indicator of the season. Quarterback Taylor Potts will have just two starts before going into Royal-Memorial Stadium. "Honestly, I think that game, it can make or break us," receiver Detron Lewis said. "We're not going to let it. It's going to determine how good we're going to be."
Article courtesy of Chuck Carlton at www.dallasnews.com
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