SEVEN: Media predictions
There are just seven days left until the Texas
Tech football team kicks off its 2011 season against Texas State. We continue
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our countdown to kickoff by posting the season predictions of seven
media members.
Tom Deinhart, Rivals.com
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Oklahoma
Heisman Winner: Andrew Luck, Stanford
Texas Tech's Record: 7-5
Tech's
Bowl Destination: New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Cincinnati
The Red Raiders have the makings of a good offense with Seth Doege under center
working with some good skill-position talent. The key will be a defense that's
working with its third coordinator in three years. Depth along the d-line is
iffy and the secondary needs to improve. Still, Tommy Tuberville has the program
on the upswing.
Aaron Dickens, RedRaiderSports.com
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Oklahoma
Heisman Winner: Andrew Luck, Stanford
Texas Tech's Record: 8-4
Tech's
Bowl Destination: Insight Bowl vs. Penn State
The biggest question mark facing the Red Raiders this season is -- stop me if
you've heard this before -- its defense. The issues? A lack of continuity in
scheme and coordinator over the last three years, no real depth of which to
speak at cornerback and the reliance on a number of newcomers at defensive line.
Like almost every first-year starter, Seth Doege will have his ups and downs as
he grows into his role as the starting quarterback but ultimately the team's
offense will produce at a higher level this fall than it did in 2010. Tech's
defense, though, is probably at least a year away from performing at a level
needed for Tommy Tuberville's squad compete for a Big 12 title.
Mike Graham, RedRaiderSports.com
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Oklahoma
Heisman Winner: Trent Richardson, Alabama
Texas Tech's Record: 8-4
Tech's
Bowl Destination: Insight Bowl vs. Iowa
By season's end the 2011 Red Raider squad will be considered a vastly improved
team in comparison to the 2010 team. There's a lot more depth at all the
position spots. There's a new defense in place created by defensive coordinator
Chad Glasgow who helped coach TCU to the nation's No. 1 defense on a regular
basis. The offense has the pieces it needs to be successful both through the air
and on the ground. Both sides of the ball are young. The 2011 season will be
remembered as the season that helped build a 2012 squad that can push for a Big
12 title and beyond.
Emily Jones, FSN
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Florida State
Heisman Winner: Andrew Luck, Stanford
Texas Tech's Record: 9-3
Tech's
Bowl Destination: Holiday Bowl vs. Arizona State
Tommy Tuberville has pegged junior Seth Doege as the man to lead his NASCAR
offense, and it will be interesting to see if Tuberville clears him for takeoff
or keeps him grounded. A Top 15 recruiting class will give fans a taste of
what's to come, but there will still be a few growing pains for the Red Raiders
in 2011, especially with the defense adjusting to its third defensive
coordinator in as many years.
Chris Level, RedRaiderSports.com
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Alabama
Heisman Winner: Andrew Luck, Stanford
Texas Tech's Record: 8-4
Tech's
Bowl Destination: Insight Bowl vs. Michigan
I don't think Texas Tech can win the Big 12 this year. Too many questions and
inexperience combined with too much talent at quarterback elsewhere in the
league. This season will be as much about 2012 as it will 2011 in my view.
Several schools will lose some key folks after this season while Texas Tech will
return most of theirs. Identifying roles, gaining experience and learning how to
win will be what I'll pay attention to as much as anything else. This team will
win some game and they'll go to a bowl but contending for and winning a title is
the ultimate goal and that should happen a year from now.
Chris Snead, Double T 104.3
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Oklahoma
Heisman Winner: Andrew Luck, Stanford
Texas Tech's Record: 9-3
Tech's
Bowl Destination: Holiday Bowl vs. Arizona
2011 will be a year in which Tech fans will expect a lot more in terms of
offense and defense. There will be a ton of new talent, but it will be young.
Seth Doege finally gets the reigns of the offense and some real weapons to throw
to but the Red Raiders are going to try and make their hay on the ground with
Eric Stephens et al. Chad Glasgow assumes the defensive coordinator job and
hopefully Tech fans will finally get the defense that they crave. A suddenly
deep defensive front gives you cause for excitement, but there is still a ton of
youth. They may have to grow up fast in this unforgiving league. The good news
is, the Missouri's of the world now get a chance to see what its like to play
OU, UT, A&M and Tech every year.
David Ubben, ESPN.com
Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma
National Champion: Oklahoma
Heisman Winner: Landry Jones, Oklahoma
Texas Tech's Record: 7-5
Tech's
Bowl Destination: Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas vs. Iowa
Texas Tech will benefit from the easy nonconference schedule, and finish 4-5 in
conference play. The offense's inexperience will cost it in a few games, and the
defense won't quite be there yet, despite the valuable, albeit way, way too
early experience it got last year. It'll be a quiet finish for the Red Raiders,
who should tiptoe into 2012 as a dark horse for the Big 12 title after maturing
on both sides of the ball.