TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS O:8 D:5

The Red Raiders put forth their highest win total under the tutelage of HC Mike Leach last season, and is now the only member in the Big 12 to put forth 11 straight winning seasons. The Red Raiders are synonymous with offense since HC Leach took over the reigns, and the numbers this program has spit out every passing year is quite remarkable. What’s even scarier is that they boasted a stout defense last season that gave up a shade under 19 PPG. This year’s squad returns 13 starters, eight on the offensive side of the ball. Every QB thrown into the Leach system has succeeded, so there’s absolutely no reason to believe Sophomore Graham Harrell won’t. The ground game suffers a big blow with the loss of Taurean Henderson, and his receiving skills out of the backfield will be missed. However, the Red Raiders boast one of the best if not the best WR corps in the country. Hicks, Amendola, Filani, and Johnson put up some scary numbers a year ago and should do so again with a better than average O-Line blocking for them. The defense only returns five from last year’s solid stop unit, but they get a number of impact players back from injuries. The front seven looks tough as nails with loads of experience returning. However, the secondary loses a number of guys from last year’s group that only allowed 180 YPG. Hopefully the front seven is able to get enough pressure on opposing offenses to help break the new unit in. The special teams unit returns intact and should improve statistically.