Aug 23, 2007, 17:38 GMT
OFFENSE: Under head coach Mike Leach, Texas Tech has finished in the top-five in the nation in passing offense in each of the past six seasons, including four straight seasons as the nation's top passing attack. After throwing for 4,555 yards and 38 touchdowns, Graham Harrell will become the first two-year starter at quarterback since 2002. Coach Leach was oddly critical of his quarterback in the offseason, but then again, Harrell passed for 519 yards against Texas and 455 yards in the bowl game. Another player Leach was critical of in the spring was running back Shannon Woods, who led the conference in all-purpose yardage with 139 per game. Woods will be running (not all that often) behind an offensive line that returns only one starter. In the receiving corps, Danny Amendola returns, although there are a host of young receivers Leach is counting on to step up.
DEFENSE: With five returning starters, there is plenty of room for improvement for a unit that ranked 76th in the nation in scoring defense. The defensive line is stacked with underclassmen, as the only returning player on that unit who played considerably last year was defensive end Jake Ratliff, an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection. Brandon Williams, a Freshman All-American honorable mention selection, is expected to fill the other defensive end spot. In the linebacking corps, Kellen Tillman is back after being granted a sixth year of eligibility. Seniors Chad Hill and Paul Williams are in line to take the other two linebacker spots. Cornerback Chris Parker returns, along with safeties Joe Garcia and Darcel McBath to anchor a secondary that ranked 32nd in the nation in pass defense a year ago.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Alex Trlica defines clutch, as he sent the Insight Bowl into overtime with a career-long 52-yard field goal and then won it with a 49- yarder in the extra frame. He also holds the NCAA record with 167 consecutive successful extra points. Danny Amendola figures to handle the punt return duties, a role he has carried for the past three seasons. The kick return game is largely up for grabs heading into the fall.
OUTLOOK: Leach has the luxury of returning the conference's top all-purpose back and a quarterback who will almost assuredly put up eye-popping numbers in his second season running the spread offense. With a solid secondary and a reliable kicker, Texas Tech will contend on most weekends. But the schedule gets treacherous as the season winds down, as the Red Raiders play their final two games at Texas and home against Oklahoma. Depending on their record heading into those games, the Red Raiders could be poised for a decent bowl invite. On the other hand, a Big 12 South title is not likely in the works.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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