The Huskers hit the road for the first time on Saturday, Oct. 11, as they travel to Lubbock, Texas to meet the high-flying Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Here is a Husker Tickets look at the Texas Tech Red Raiders:
Schedule
08/30 -- Eastern Washington
09/06 -- at Nevada
09/13 -- Southern Methodist
09/20 -- Massachusetts
10/04 -- at Kansas State
10/11 -- Nebraska
10/18 -- at Texas A&M
10/25 -- at Kansas
11/01 -- Texas
11/08 -- Oklahoma State
11/22 -- at Oklahoma
11/29 -- Baylor
Keeping scoreboard operators busy
Texas Tech has developed a reputation for high-ocatne, high-scoring offenses under coach Mike Leach, and this year should be no different. Quarterback Graham Harrell became the sixth player in NCAA history last year to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season (5,705 yards, 48 TD) and is back with his sights set on going even higher in 2008.
He'll have a vast array of targets to throw to, none bigger than sophomore All-American Michael Crabtree, who had an amazing 134 receptions for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns. Harrell also has a couple of high-flying targets in tight end Eric Morris (75 catches) and receivers Edward Britton and Detron Lewis to connect with.
The Red Raiders also have a very solid offensive line, one that allowed just 18 sacks last year in 763 pass attempts -- very impressive considering how much Texas Tech relies on the passing game.
Defense needs to step up
For all the excitement the Red Raiders' offense has drummed up, though, the defense hasn't held its end of the bargain up enough. Twice last season, the offense scored over 40 points in a losing effort (59-43 vs. Texas, 49-45 vs. Oklahoma State). In their four losses, the defense gave up a whopping 45 points per game.
Texas Tech did lead the league in pass defense, but teams ran on the Red Raiders with reckless abandon. Ruffin McNeill came on as defensive coordinator in the middle of the year and should improve Tech's run defense with a solid returning lineup.
Potential for a championship year
Several experts feel that this could be the year the Red Raiders jump out of the long shadows of traditional powers Texas and Oklahoma. The key is going to be the play of the defense -- if they can shut down teams like the Sooners, Longhorns and Oklahoma State, they could be this year's surprise team in college football.
Projected Starting Lineup
Offense
LT Mickey Okafor (6-5, 320, Fr.)
LG Louis Vasquez (6-6, 335, Sr.)
C Shawn Byrnes (6-4, 303, Jr.)
RG Brandon Carter (6-7, 374, Jr.)
RT Marlon Winn (6-6, 329, Jr.)
TE Eric Morris (5-8, 174, Sr.)
WR Michael Crabtree (6-3, 208, So.)
WR Edward Britton (6-0, 183, Jr.)
WR Detron Lewis (6-0, 198, So.)
QB Graham Harrell (6-3, 203, Sr.)
RB Aaron Crawford (5-11, 202, So.)
Defense
DE Jake Ratliff (6-7, 247, Sr.)
DT Colby Whitlock (6-2, 281, So.)
DT Rajon Henley (6-3, 265, Jr.)
DE Brandon Williams (6-5, 253, Jr.)
LB Bront Bird (6-3, 222, So.)
LB Brian Duncan (6-1, 239, So.)
LB Marlon Williams (6-0, 211, Jr.)
CB Jamar Wall (5-10, 195, Jr.)
CB Marcus Bunton (5-8, 196, Sr.)
FS Darcel McBath (6-1, 196, Sr.)
SS Anthony Hines (6-1, 212, Sr.)
Specialists
PK Cory Fowler (5-8, 157, Sr.)
P Jonathan LaCour (6-2, 206, So.)
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