Red Raiders and Aggies meet in Lone Star State showdown
Sports Network | October 15, 2008
College Station, TX (Sports Network) - The seventh-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders put their undefeated record on the line this Saturday as they pay a visit to Big 12 Conference rival Texas A&M.
Texas Tech is 6-0 for just the fifth time in the 84-year history of the program. The Red Raiders have been ranked in the top-10 the last four weeks, the longest such streak for the program since 1976. Tech showed a great deal of heart in knocking off Nebraska last week in overtime, 37-31.
Texas A&M has lost back-to-back decisions to fall to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in conference. The Aggies were outgunned last weekend by Kansas State, 44-30, in front of a disappointed home crowd. They have now allowed a total of 100 points in their two conference games, bad news considering the explosiveness of the Red Raider offense.
Texas A&M holds a narrow 34-31-1 series lead over Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders have won each of the last three meetings.
Texas Tech possesses one of the nation's most potent offensive attacks, as the team is generating 46.3 ppg and 556.3 total ypg. The Red Raiders have already scored 37 offensive touchdowns, and while they are known primarily as a passing team, the ground attack is posting 5.7 yards per carry to go along with 17 scores. Baron Batch and Shannon Woods are both talented tailbacks, but they take a back seat to the prolific passing duo of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. Harrell has completed 67.9 percent of his passes for 2,311 yards with 20 touchdown and only three interceptions. As for Crabtree, the nation's best receiver, he has 43 catches for 653 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Harrell and Crabtree hooked up for a pair of touchdowns against Nebraska last weekend. The Red Raiders were limited to 16 first downs and 421 total yards, numbers that fall well below their averages, but the outcome was certainly positive. Harrell completed 20-of-25 passes without an interception or a sack. "I think Graham Harrell did a great job keeping them focused and that is tough," said coach Mike Leach. "Our offense had about nine yards a play and I can't say enough about that."
Opponents are scoring 20.5 ppg against Texas Tech, which is yielding 358.5 total ypg. The Red Raiders have been strong against the run, limiting foes to 3.2 ypc. The pass defense has been solid as well, as the team has posted 11 interceptions while surrendering only six passing scores. Tech can take great pride in the fact that opponents are making good on only 27 percent of their third down conversion opportunities. Brian Duncan leads the Red Raiders with 46 total tackles, 10 more than his closest teammate. Daniel Charbonnet has registered four interceptions, and McKinner Dixon has six sacks.
Texas Tech yielded 29 first downs and 471 total yards to Nebraska last week. While the defense played well against the run, it permitted the Cornhuskers to complete 37-of-45 passes. Most concerning off all is the fact that Tech allowed three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, all on drives of at least 68 yards. "It teaches us that we can't give up on a team and anyone can come in this house and we can go anywhere and get beat," said linebacker Brian Duncan of the near defeat. "We have to go out there and respect each team."
Starting in place of the injured Stephen McGee, Texas A&M sophomore quarterback Jerrod Johnson threw for a school-record 419 yards, completing 29- of-41 attempts in the loss to Kansas State. Johnson, who had two passing scores, also ran for a touchdown, and his 487 total yards also set a record at A&M. McGee is listed as questionable for this weekend's tilt with a shoulder injury, but Johnson has proven to be more than capable of running the offense effectively, so McGee's status should not be a major concern. Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman doesn't want to heap too much praise on his young signal caller, hoping to keep him focused and hungry. "I'd like him to play faster, but he did better than he has been," said Sherman after the K-State game. "I thought he made progress in this game, but he still has a ways to go."
Tailback Mike Goodson sat out the game because of missed classes, but he is expected back this weekend.
Texas A&M is averaging 24.0 ppg this season and 356.2 total ypg, solid numbers that probably aren't going to scare Texas Tech. The Aggies are running for a modest 3.7 ypc, but the passing game is producing 11.8 yards per completion. Goodson rushes for 5.5 ypc and was clearly missed last weekend.
Texas A&M had no answer for Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, who completed 21-of-26 passes without an interception and also ran for four touchdowns. The Aggies yielded 30 first downs and 449 yards in the tilt. They did come up with one takeaway, but they allowed the Wildcats to make good on 9-of-12 third down conversion attempts in what was a poor overall defensive performance. "We took a step backwards today," said A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines. "I promise that today, we're going to grab that tape and go back to work."
Opponents are scoring 33.0 ppg against Texas A&M, which is giving up 386.2 ypg. The Aggies have played poorly against the run, as foes are racking up 223.3 ypg and 5.0 yards per carry. Of the 20 touchdowns that the defense has surrendered, 14 have come on the ground. Also worthy of mention is that the Aggies have just three interceptions to date.
