Spring Break
Tech football to encounter toughest test so far
Alex Ybarra
Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: Sports
If Texas Tech wins its next four games, everyone will forget about its weak non-conference schedule and narrow victories against Nebraska and Texas A&M.
There will be no more media members saying the Red Raiders are overrated.
With the nation's longest win streak at nine games, No. 8 Tech - 7-0 for the first time since 1976 - has a chance to prove its legitimacy against No. 23 Kansas, No. 1 Texas, No. 6 Oklahoma State and No. 4 Oklahoma in the upcoming weeks.
"This is the time of the season that's gonna make or break us," right guard Brandon Carter said, "Nothing in the past really matters at this point. What's ahead of us is really our biggest competition coming up."
No. 1 Texas started its bundle of games against ranked Big 12 Conference opponents two weeks ago against then-No.1 OU in the Red River Rivalry. With a 45-35 win against the Sooners followed by a 56-31 spanking of Missouri, the Longhorns are tops in the nation. In addition, UT quarterback Colt McCoy is the Heisman Trophy front-runner thanks to his leadership and flawless execution.
"I get excited, I'm giddy right now," McBath said. "This is what it's about, playing the best in the country. We got four weeks straight where we get to do that."
It starts this Saturday against the Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan., where KU has won 13 consecutive games Â- the fourth longest current home winning streak in the nation.
In the past under Mike Leach, the Red Raiders consistently lost a game they should have won. In the past two years, it was Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma State handing Tech unexpected losses.
Despite wins against teams with a combined record of 22-28, the Red Raiders have proven they have what it takes to win close games. After trailing 23-20 at halftime against Texas A&M, Tech's defense shut down the Aggies by holding them to 32 yards, five first downs and two points in the second half, while Tech's offense scored on four of six possessions.
There will be no more media members saying the Red Raiders are overrated.
With the nation's longest win streak at nine games, No. 8 Tech - 7-0 for the first time since 1976 - has a chance to prove its legitimacy against No. 23 Kansas, No. 1 Texas, No. 6 Oklahoma State and No. 4 Oklahoma in the upcoming weeks.
"This is the time of the season that's gonna make or break us," right guard Brandon Carter said, "Nothing in the past really matters at this point. What's ahead of us is really our biggest competition coming up."
No. 1 Texas started its bundle of games against ranked Big 12 Conference opponents two weeks ago against then-No.1 OU in the Red River Rivalry. With a 45-35 win against the Sooners followed by a 56-31 spanking of Missouri, the Longhorns are tops in the nation. In addition, UT quarterback Colt McCoy is the Heisman Trophy front-runner thanks to his leadership and flawless execution.
"I get excited, I'm giddy right now," McBath said. "This is what it's about, playing the best in the country. We got four weeks straight where we get to do that."
It starts this Saturday against the Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan., where KU has won 13 consecutive games Â- the fourth longest current home winning streak in the nation.
In the past under Mike Leach, the Red Raiders consistently lost a game they should have won. In the past two years, it was Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma State handing Tech unexpected losses.
Despite wins against teams with a combined record of 22-28, the Red Raiders have proven they have what it takes to win close games. After trailing 23-20 at halftime against Texas A&M, Tech's defense shut down the Aggies by holding them to 32 yards, five first downs and two points in the second half, while Tech's offense scored on four of six possessions.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sleepless in Plainview
posted 10/22/08 @ 9:23 AM CST
Heard this morning that Matt Williams, the kicker that won free rent has been cleared to play Saturday. Capltain Leach said he may kick Saturday.
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