2013 Football Previews – Big 12 – Red Raiders
There is profound enthusiasm over the announcement of Kliff Kingsbury taking the reins as head coach in Lubbock, as Kingsbury is a former record-shattering Tech pivot himself. Undoubtedly, this move has fired up the Red Raiders’ fan base.
Big 12 Conference 2013 College Football Previews: Texas Tech Red Raiders (Team Link)
Head Coach: Kliff Kingsbury
2012 Record: 8-5
Texas Tech Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship:
Texas Tech Gambling Odds to win Big 12:
The modus operandi is going to be essentially the same at Tech as when Kingsbury used to stand under center rather than wear the headset: Throw the ball early, quickly, and often.
Tech features some offensive weapons that will help make this happen. Senior WR Eric Ward is very talented, and should be drafted to the pros this coming year. Jitterbug Jakeem Grant is also dynamic, and at 5”6, 163 lbs, he’s hard to get a clean lick on, too.
In addition to being a slippery slot receiver, Grant is deadly on special teams. Tight end Jace Amaro also features some nice size, hands and playmaking ability. The passing attack will be directed by either sophomore Michael Brewer, or true freshman Davis Webb.
The two have been locked in a positional battle since the beginning of spring camp; prevailing opinion saw Brewer as a fairly sure thing to start, but he has missed some time with a back injury, and apparently the receivers are establishing some nice rapport with Webb.
Whether it is Brewer or Webb starting Week One, Kingsbury will have them racking up hefty passing numbers.
It’s not just passing for Tech, either.
Returning RB Kenny Williams may just become the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 14 years. He racked up over 800 yards on the ground last year, his first as the starting tailback. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
There should some worry based on the fact that the Raiders are relying on a bunch of signee offensive lineman to solve their depth issues – only sophomore OT LeRaven Clark and junior OG Beau Carpenter return from 2012.
The defense is adjusting to its fifth defensive co-ordinator in as many years, and that’s tough. Texas Tech returns its entire front seven from last season, which is nice, but new DC Matt Wallerstedt has some work to do shoring up the unit.
The Raiders finished 90th in the FBS in scoring defense a year ago. Look for LB Pete Robertson and DT Kerry Hyder to be the stars of the unit. Robertson, only a sophomore, shows oodles of potential.
The excitement over Kingsbury’s promotion is certainly a good vibe for the program, and the intention is for the boys in Lubbock to be Big 12 contenders once again. It’s not going to happen overnight, though.
A green QB duo and ample question marks in the secondary means this team will probably be mistake-prone.
If Texas Tech could win a couple of big conference games (especially against rival TCU) and become bowl-eligible, that would be some nice progress for Kingsbury’s first year on the job.
2013 Red Raiders Schedule
8/30/13 8:00 PM ET @SMU
9/7/13 7:00 PM ET SFA
9/12/13 7:30 PM ET TCU
9/21/13 7:00 PM ET TXST
10/5/13 TBD @KU
10/12/13 TBD ISU
10/19/13 TBD @WVU
10/26/13 TBD @OKLA
11/2/13 TBD OKST
11/9/13 TBD KSU
11/16/13 TBD @BAY
11/28/13 7:30 PM ET @TEX
