No it’s not Ross Perot who has taken over as head coach of the Red Raiders. They just share the same ears and clothiers.
Make no mistake about it, though. Tommy Tuberville is a tough hombre. Sort of like your junior high football coach who thought three-a-days and salt pills were good for you. Old School.
The big question on everyone’s mind, though, is whether Tuberville will light up defenses with that pass-happy Mike Leach offense (although Leach is sunning somewhere in Florida these days), or will Tuberville go rush rush rush like he did at Auburn?
Two reasons why Tech will still throw the ball (despite Tuberville): wide receivers Alex Torres and Detron Lewis, two of the Big 12’s best. You might remember Torres burned OU’s defense last year with 163 yards on 11 receptions (TT won 41-10). Lewis is not quite the production maker, but he is a consistent receiver and can push close to 1,000 yards this year even as the number 2 wideout on the team.
OK, a third reason: Tuberville hired Troy offensive coordinator Neal Brown. His offense at Troy ranked third nationally. He will bring more balance, but still employ much of the “Air Raid” offense we’ve seen from Tech.
Question marks: Who is the quarterback? Steven Sheffield and Taylor Potts? Neither apparently have impressed coaches enough to move into a solid lead.
Weakness: At defensive backs. Which isn’t good since the Red Raiders have to defend against Oklahoma in Norman and A&M in College Station. A red shirt freshman and a sophomore will start at the corners.
Good schedule: Red Raiders play the Longhorns early in the season. This will be Texas’ new QB Garrett Gilbert’s first hostile crowd. TT likes to upset high-profile teams that come into Lubbock.
Bad schedule: Oklahoma in Norman. The Sooners are 57-4 at home since 1998. Just go ahead and chalk this one up as a 58th win.
GAME: Texas Tech at Oklahoma in Norman — November 13. TBA.
More: Globetrotter Tuberville
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