GAME DAY 13
Texas Tech (5-3)
OFFENSE
Coach Mike Leach will make his decision on whom to
Potts
start at quarterback at game time, but don't think Texas Tech's offensive mentality will change too much, whether it's junior Taylor Potts, junior Steven Sheffield or freshman Seth Doege at the helm. The Red Raiders have thrown for more than 400 yards per game this season and have just 557 total rushing yards. Graham Harrell picked apart the Jayhawks'
secondary last year and Leach will likely plan to try to do the exact same thing. Junior Detron Lewis is the main target, but a bevy of receivers get looks.
DEFENSE
sive considering other teams play from behind and must throw the ball. However, Texas A&M might have exposed a weakness in the run defense: The Aggies ran up 321 yards last Saturday. Junior middle linebacker Brian Duncan has 57 tackles on the season and leads the team. Senior
The Red Raiders' defensive statistics are impres-
Duncan
defensive end Brandon Sharpe is a force to be reckoned with. He has eight sacks on the season, including four against Nebraska two weeks ago.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Remember Matt Williams' story? He's the student-turned-starting-kicker who was given an opportunity to kick for the Red Raiders after nailing a 30-yarder in a promotion at halftime. He has been pretty solid in his second year for Leach, making four of five field goals with a long of 41 yards. In a typical Leach move, Texas Tech made a change at puncher, opting
to go with freshman Ryan Erxleben after Donnie Carona did not perform well early in the season.
Williams
Leach truly started the passing spread offense seen
in many different forms today when he took the reins at Texas Tech 10 years ago. In his first nine seasons, Texas Tech led the country in passing six times. His quarterbacks haven't had success in the NFL, perhaps suggesting that the reason why the offenses have been so successful is because of Leach's system. He
COACHING
is not afraid to make a huge switch at any position mid-game or take a big gamble on fourth down.
Leach
MOMENTUM
The Red Raiders have ridden the proverbial roller coaster in the start of Big 12 play. They took a 10-point loss at Texas, then spanked Kansas State 66-14 and then rolled Nebraska 31-10. Then, despite dominating a Kansas State team that blew out Texas A&M, Texas Tech lost to Texas A&M by 22. Leach will have them ready to play and prove to the Big 12 South that they are still among the top dogs.
— Clark Goble
will cheer if...
use scores on its first drive. In their last two Jayhawks have struggled early: Against Reesing tossed an interception on the game's y. Scoring points on its first drive could go a getting the offense's groove back.
ay will weep if...
fails to create pressure on Texas Tech's k, whoever that may be. Last season the simply couldn't get a pass rush and the Red Lawrence with a lopsided 63-21 victory. pass rush is one of the most important keys Texas Tech notoriously high-powered
Prediction: Texas Tech 42, Kansas 27
Offense
RED RAIDERS STARTING LINEUP
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Taylor Potts 15 Jr.
RB Baron Batch 25 Jr.
WR Detron Lewis 17 Jr.
WR Tramain Swindall 11 So.
WR Edward Britton 27 Sr.
WR Alex Torres 86 Fr.
LT Chris Olson 70 Jr.
LG Lonnie Edwards 78 So.
C Justin Keown 73 Jr
RG Brandon Carter 76 Sr.
RT Marlon Winn 67 Sr.
P Ryan Erxleben 43 Fr.
Defense
Pos. Name Number Year
LE Brandon Sharpe 92 Sr.
DT Richard Jones 99 Sr.
DT Colby Whitlock 93 Jr.
RE Daniel Howard 53 Sr.
SLB Bront Bird 20 Jr.
MLB Brian Duncan 57 Jr.
WLB Marlon Williams 39 Sr.
CB Jamar Wall 3 Sr.
SS Franklin Mitchem 26 Jr.
FS Cody Davis 16 Fr.
CB LaRon Moore 28 Jr.
PK Matt Williams 85 Jr.
AT A GLANCE
This team isn't too much different than the one that came into Lawrence last year and beat Kansas by 42. Tech's quarterback situation is sketchy, but not because it is getting poor play from the position. Kansas' secondary will be tested on nearly every single down on Saturday night.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Freshman wide receiver Alex Torres
It's not too often you find a freshman wide receiver making a huge impact, but Texas Tech's system is giving Torres a chance to make plays. He had eight catches for 128 yards in the loss against Texas A&M. He hasn't been flashy but he gets the job done. Expect him to b
QUESTION MARKS
Who will start at quarterback for Mike Leach?
Leach was his typical mum self during Monday's Big 12 teleconference when asked about who will be leading the Red Raider offense. He has said that Sheffield is a proven leader, but Potts is also capable. Apparently he also has confidence in Doege. Call this one a toss-up and try to catch some of the pregame warm-ups to determine who will be throwing all day long.
Will Texas Tech try to quick-strike for touchdowns?
The Red Raiders have scored in less than a minute seven times this season. Kansas has been victimized by the deep pass a few times this season, and you can be sure Leach will attack whoever starts between sophomore Daymond Patterson and freshman D.J. Beshears. Look for some early deep balls from Texas Tech.
BY THE NUMBERS
2
Number of times a Texas Tech quarterback has thrown seven touchdowns in a game this season
6
Difference between Kansas and Texas Tech in voting points in the Associated Press poll
10-1
Texas Tech's all-time record against Kansas
14 Penalties by the Red Raiders in their loss to Texas
470
Number of yards thrown for by Steven Shoffield in the first half against K-State
SAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 30,2009