Projected Postseason Top 25: #22 Texas Tech

Texas Tech fans have been watching the same show for a while, ever since Mike Leach took over their program. An offense running up numbers like a pinball machine, fueled by a prolific passing attack moving the ball in a hurry, then a questionable defense giving up points just as easily. Graham Harrell and the offense have their role down part and will build off of their miracle comeback in last year’s Insight Bowl. The question marks on defense will have the loyal people of Lubbock wondering where they’ve seen this time and time again.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat Minnesota in Alamo Bowl

Who they’ll beat: SMU (Road), UTEP (Home), Rice (Road), Northwestern State (Home), Iowa State (Home), Texas A&M (Home), Colorado (Home), Baylor (Road), Oklahoma (Home), Minnesota (San Antonio, TX)

Who’ll beat them: Oklahoma State (Road), Missouri (Road), Texas (Road)

When they Pass: In 2006 Graham Harrell passed for 4,555 yards and 38 touchdowns, its difficult to see him improving on those numbers, but in this offense anything is possible.

When they Run: The threat to Harrell’s stat padding could be the emergence of running back Shannon Woods. Woods ran for 926 yards in his sophomore season. He had a difficult spring but should bounce back to produce this fall.

When their Opponents Run: The Raiders struggled against the run last year, allowing 151 yards a game. And they didn’t have to replace five starters in the front seven then. It should be quite easy to run on Texas Tech this year leading to many shootouts yet again.

When their Opponents Pass: The Big XII’s best pass defense returns three out of four starters. And the numbers shall be even better as teams attempt to keep up with Leach’s offense by running at his defense.

When they Kick: Alex Trlica’s foot is dependable if not strong. Although Minnesota may have thought the same before his 53 yard field goal completed the Raiders’ comeback and sent the Insight Bowl to overtime.

When they call Timeout: Leach is safe as long as Tech wins 9-10 games every year, even if fans in Lubbock wonder when they’re going to take that next step and compete for Big XII South titles.