Tommy Tuberville enters his second season with the Texas Tech Red Raiders and will look to follow up on a successful 8-5 season, that resulted in a Ticket City Bowl victory. The Red Raiders have been one of the most successful teams in the Big 12 Conference over the past decade. This season Texas Tech loses a lot of talent, but does bring in a very good recruiting class.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Offense
Quarterbacks
Texas Tech loses two year starter Taylor Potts, and a very solid backup in Steven Sheffield. They will be left with last season’s third string quarterback, junior Seth Doege. Doege lacks arm strength and size compared to Potts, but is very accurate and also has dual-threat capabilities. The Red Raiders also return sophomores Brant Costilla and Jacob Karam, redshirt freshman Scotty Young, and true freshman Michael Brewer.
Running Banks
The Red Raiders will be without star running back Baron Batch. The new Pittsburg Steelers running back leaves Texas Tech as the 8th leading rusher in school history. Last season Batch ran for 816 yards and had 5 scores. However, the half back position for Tech might be even better this year as that they return junior Eric Stephens who in some ways was more impressive than Batch (668 yards, 6 TD’s, 5.3 yards per carry). They also bring back senior Aaron Crawford who was impressive on his 22 carries last year, averaging 6.8 yards. They also bring in three very talented half backs in this years recruiting class, including Rivals 4-star Kenny Williams who might work his way onto the field as a true freshman.
Wide Receivers
Tech loses their two leading receivers Deltron Lewis (87 catched 852 yards 6 toucdowns) and Lyle Leong (74 catches 926 yards and 19 touchdowns). Those will be huge losses for the Red Raiders. The Red Raiders do bring back Alex Torres who had an impressive sophomore campaign, as well as bringing in two very talented receivers in Marcus Kennard and Derek Edwards (both 4-star recruits). Kennard, a former K-State commit who spurned the Wildcats by switching at the end of his recruitment, should make a major impact on the Texas Tech offense this season.
Offensive Line
Texas Tech has always been known for having a solid offensive line. This year will be another example of that. The Red Raiders bring back all 5 starting linemen on the offensive side. Three of which are seniors, along with two juniors. Expect this Red Raider team to have one of its best seasons on the ground since the Mike Leach era began, which will mostly be due to the offensive line.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Defense
Defensive Line
The Red Raiders will be rebuilding their entire defensive line. They lose four year starter Colby Whitlock at the nose tackle, position which should prove to be a major loss. Junior Leon Mackey looks to start at the left end position, and sophomore Dartwan Bush at the right end position. Senior Donald Langley and sophomore Kerry Hyder will look to start at the tackle positions. They do have more depth than last season, but have much less experience.
Linebackers
Like the defensive line, the Red Raiders don’t return a starter at the linebacker position. However, with a move to the 4-2-5 defensive scheme it might not make as big of a difference. Senior Sam Fehoko returns to the linebacker position after playing as a hybrid end last season. He is expected to start alongside Daniel Cobb. Cobb missed a lot of playing time last season with an eye injury. Also, expect true freshman Blake Dees to get some playing time.
Secondary
Unlike the front six the secondary is very experienced. Texas Tech return five starters, including sophomores Tre’ Porter and Jarvis Porter. Sophomore Derrick Mays also looks to be in a position to start. They also return junior free safety DJ Johnson and junior weak safety Cody Davis. Brett Dewhurst also returns and will split time with Davis.
Special Teams
Tech loses kicker Matt Williams this year. Williams was famous for winning his position through a half time show in Lubbock. He ended up being a very reliable kicker connecting on 22 out of 28 kicks and only missing one extra point in three seasons. Williams will be replaced by senior Donnie Carona. Ryan Erxleben will start as the punter.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 2011 Season Prediction
Texas State – Texas Tech is 17-1 in its last 18 home openers, winning by an average score of 43-17. It will be the first meeting between these two schools, and the game shouldn’t be close. TSU lost to Houston last year 68-28. Next year Texas State will join the FBS in the Western Athletic Conference. Expect a blow-out win for the Red Raiders. Win.
@ New Mexico – New Mexico is 1-12 against Tech all-time, and lost to the Red Raiders 52-17 last season at home. Expect a similar outcome. Win.
Nevada – Nevada has only played Tech one time in school history (a 35-19 loss to Tech in 2008). Nevada also loses their star quarterback in Colin Kapernick. Don’t look for Nevada to match up with Tech, especially with the game being in Lubbock.Win.
@ Kansas – No one was worse last year than Kansas, and they will struggle again this season. The last time Tech was in Lawrence the Red Raiders walked away with a 63-21 victory. Then in 2009 Tech took it to the Jayhawks 42-21. Expect Texas Tech to be a heavy favorite to win this game. However, with this game being KU’s homecoming game, and the improvement over the past couple of seasons, an upset victory for KU is in store. Loss.
Texas A&M – This game will be the toughest yet of the season. Sitting at 4-0 the Red Raiders will have a lot of confidence going into this game. Over the last 17 years the home team in this rivalry game is 12-5. Texas A&M has won the last two games against the Red Raiders, but Tech hasn’t lost three in a row since 1992-94. This year’s Texas A&M team looks to be capable of accomplishing that feat and should win in a close battle. Loss.
Kansas State – This season will be K-State’s best chance to beat Tech in years. Still, the past dominance of Tech over K-State should continue with this game being in Lubbock. Tech will be fired up and ready to go against the Wildcats resulting in a Texas Tech victory. Win.
@ Oklahoma – Tech has played OU very well over the past 5 seasons, winning two and barely losing in 2006. This season, however, OU is arguably the best team in the country. Not to mention that this game is in Norman. OU wins handily. Loss.
Iowa State – Lucky for Texas Tech, they will get to rebound against Iowa State at home. They will be hungry for a victory after getting dismantled 52-38 in 2010 by the Cyclones. Expect a solid win for the Red Raiders. Win.
@ Texas – Texas struggled greatly last season but still managed to beat Texas Tech 24-12. Texas shouldn’t have another 5-7 type season, and should take care of the Red Raiders again. Loss.
Oklahoma State – Tech is 23-3 in Senior Day games since 1985, and the home team has won 12 of the previous 14 meetings in the Tech-OSU series. Tech will once again be bowl eligible after getting an upset victory over the Cowboys. Win.
@ Missouri – Tech beat Missouri 24-17 last season in Lubbock. That being said this game will be in Columbia, and while Missouri and Tech are similar teams, the slight edge goes to the Tigers with it being a home game. Loss.
Baylor – The bears have been 7 points away from beating Texas Tech over the last three years. This is finally the year with Robert Griffin III as the quarterback. Loss.
Predicted Finish: 6-6
Texas Tech is a young team that has a lot of talent. They can beat Baylor, Missouri, Texas and KU which would put them as high as a 10-2 overall this season. But the losses on the defensive line and major offensive positions are huge. The Red Raiders are also capable of losing to OSU and KSU. The Big 12 is going to be very competitive this year, and Tech is going to be a very interesting team to watch. Kansas and Iowa State are the two teams that should finish in the bottom of the conference, but the teams that finish 2nd-8th should be very equal.
