Stories about Texas Tech
Texas Tech and the 3-4 Defense 14 comments
The 3-4 defense (which uses 3 defensive linemen and a linebacker) is a rarity in college football but prevalent in the NFL. Interestingly, one of the major factors in why NFL teams run a 3-4 is cost. That is, the defensive ends needed to run 4-3 defenses (4 linemen and 3 backers) command big salaries, whereas the ends and linebackers that are used to run a 3-4 are relatively cheap. So in a salary cap league, the 3-4 is simply more efficient cost-wise allowing teams to spend more money elsewhere on their team. But college has no salary cap. And while a great defensive end for the 4-3 may be hard to come by, serviceable ones abound. Which begs the question then, why would Tech choose to run the 3-4 under new coach Tommy Tuberville if it might just as easily run a 4-3?
Texas Tech Tabs Talented Tommy Tuberville 5 comments
*Editor's Note: This headline brought to you by Mr. T. Not the guy who played Clubber Lang in Rocky 3, but rather the puppet who made the same sound that starts "tall teeth". If you grew up in the midwest in the 70's or 80's, you get the reference.
After the Red Raiders ran off the most successful head coach in their history, it seemed likely that they'd have trouble finding someone as good to fill the spot. Instead, with the hiring of Tuberville they may have actually upgraded the position.
Mike Leach Firing Provides Perspective 30 comments
Unless you've spent the last few weeks ice-fishing in Antarctica, you've heard all about Mike Leach's termination as head coach at Texas Tech. In his own defense, Leach pointed out that the 84 wins the Red Raiders accumulated in his time as head coach were the most ever over for the program in any ten year period and also made him the winningest coach in school history. It's no wonder then, that fans were so quick to rally to support Leach. What's interesting, is that if you look at the win-loss records for Nebraska and Florida State over the same period - two teams seeking to put the last decade behind them, they've won 84 and 85 games respectively.
Texas Tech Post-Mortem 7 comments
Fire Shawn Watson. Fire Barney Cotton. Fire Carl Pelini, heck fire Bo Pelini. While we're at it, bench all the starters. Put in every true freshman so that they can get four years of on-field experience. Run the zone read option, spread the field, blitz on every down, put Ndamukong Suh in on offense, have him return kicks, and even play safety. We could try him at quarterback to see if anybody can take him down. Let's switch everyone on offense and defense and see if anything happens.
Now is not the time for this negative thought process. Yes, there were plenty of mistakes to harp on, but a few swings our way, and this is a totally different game.
Notable Quotes from Nebraska vs Texas Tech 10 comments
There is much to discuss about Saturday's loss to Texas Tech; play calling, lack of discipline, competition at quarterback. Here is what the players, coaches and media had to say on those topics and more.
Lack of Execution Dooms Huskers 13 comments
If you were told the Huskers would hold Texas Tech to 258 total yards this week, you'd think that would mean a victory for Nebraska. You'd be wrong.
Nebraska Offense Sputters in Loss to Texas Tech 15 comments
The Nebraska offense generated just 10 points (and surrendered a critical first-half turnover) as the Huskers lost to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 31-10 in Lincoln. While much of the hype and discussion entering the game centered on #15 Nebraska and a defense led by Ndamukong Suh, it was the Texas Tech defense, or more specifically the Nebraska offense that caused a chorus of boos to rain down from the Memorial Stadium stands. The loss bolsters the Tech momentum behind new quarterback Steven Sheffield and a lively defense led by Ruffin McNeil. It also leaves Nebraska looking for answers to some very serious questions on offense.
Tech Turning Point? 4 comments
Local fans and national media types are both looking at last Thursday's win over Missouri as a turning point for the Nebraska football program under Bo Pelini. It makes good sense, since the Tigers were ranked and NU was playing on the road. And, yes, beating MU did vanquish some recent demons for NU. But, when you step back and think about Saturday's game against Texas Tech, there just as many reasons (and demons!) to consider it just as big of turning point for the Huskers.
Plan of Attack: Texas Tech Red Raiders 9 comments
Have you enjoyed all the national attention Nebraska's received this week courtesy of Ndamukong Suh? Big Mr. Suh and the not quite ready for Blackshirts players passed their first major test of the season against a prolific Missouri offense last week.
This week will be even tougher as Cap'n Leach brings his pass-happy West Texas squad to Lincoln.
Let's draw up some plans...
Mike Leach Lacking Something 9 comments
Texas Tech's Mike Leach is a different kind of coach. And while many people are defined by what they are, Leach at times seems defined by what he lacks. Tact, for example. While most coaches would be careful about taunting other programs, Leach seems to go out of his way to put down Texas A&M. He mocks the "soldiers" at A&M and derided the Dallas Cowboys for drafting former Aggie quarterback Stephen McGee. What other coach does that?
Texas Tech No Joke 18 comments
Mike Leach might have done Nebraska a favor when he ran the score up on Kansas State this past weekend. The Huskers victory at Missouri was so exciting, that it might have made the players lose focus on the next game. And Texas Tech showed against the Wildcats that they are not a team to be overlooked. The Red Raiders looked more like the team that's beaten Nebraska three straight times than the one that lost two straight games in September.
Texas Tech May Determine the North Champion 5 comments
A lot of people are pointing to Nebraska’s contest at Kansas on November 14th as being decisive in determining the Big 12 North champion. As those teams seem to be the favorites to win the division, that seems like a reasonable assumption. But when you look over the two teams schedules, it becomes clear that the other seven conference games the teams will play could easily determine who plays in the conference championship game.
Signature Loss? 2 comments
As the Huskers have struggled through a long streak of losing to top ten teams, fans have called for a “signature win� under their new head coach (whether it was Callahan or Pelini). While most would agree that the Huskers have failed to capture a signature win in the Pelini era, could the Texas Tech game qualify as a signature loss?
Heartbreaking Progress is Still Progress 8 comments
A week ago, Nebraska was not competitive in Lincoln against a top ten team. They surrendered 52 points, were outgained by nearly the length of an entire football field, committed another football field's worth of penalties, and lost by five touchdowns.
Today, the Huskers marched into a hostile stadium against another top ten team, outgained that team by fifty yards, and lost in heartbreaking fashion in overtime. That, my friends, is progress.
Pelini Era Truly Begins With Loss to Texas Tech 9 comments
Nebraska fans aren't fond of moral victories and I'm no different.
The Cornhuskers should have beaten Texas Tech. They out-yarded them (471-421), they had more first downs (32-19), they dominated time of possession and they had the ball last in overtime and held a sizable trump card thanks to a blocked extra point. But Nebraska lost the turnover battle a very big 1 to 0 and we're left with a .500 football team.
Games you should've won only count when Phil Steele tallies them up in the off season as "close losses" but I'm as excited as I've been for the Bo Pelini era since the season started.
Not Looking Forward to Saturday 4 comments
It's not often I find myself dreading a Nebraska game, but truthfully I look forward to the game against the Red Raiders with no anticipation. Thank God I'm not a football coach.
A Moral Victory is Possible 9 comments
There is probably a sizable number of Husker fans that would disagree with the notion, not wanting to admit it or consider it, but a close loss in Lubbock this week would probably constitute a moral victory for Nebraska.
Big 12 Recruiting Roundup: Texas Tech 1 comment
Texas Tech isn't getting a lot of love for its class of fifteen recruits. When you only graduate 12 seniors though, you don't have room to grab 25 or thirty guys. You could criticize the Red Raiders for not grabbing a receiver or linebacker but there wasn't exactly another position you'd want to steal a spot from either.
Big 12 State of the Union: Texas Tech 1 comment
A year ago, I dismissed Texas Tech as a going nowhere program content to play in minor bowls and never a serious threat to win the Big 12. While my view hasn't shifted radically, it's hard for a Nebraska fan not to appreciate the value of being able to sustain a winning program.
2007 Opponent Preview…Texas Tech 1 comment
While the chances of Nebraska facing Texas Tech seem remote, it's not impossible (like a Baylor championship game appearance would be). The Red Raiders will have a good offense. They always do. But with only five returning starters from a defensive unit that finished eighth in the conference in points allowed, it seems unlikely they'll have a championship caliber team.