Texas Tech vs. Eastern Washington football preview

Red Raiders Open 2008 at Home

Texas Tech vs. Eastern Washington
Saturday August 30 th 2008 – Jones AT&T Stadium
6:00 PM

Texas Tech starts 2008 ranked #12, their first meeting against Eastern Washington

Texas Tech enters their 84th season on Saturday, kicking off against Eastern Washington as they meet for the first time. Texas Tech is 62-18-3 all-time when it comes to openers the last time they were defeated came at the hands of Oklahoma in 1992.

This will be the 55th time they open at home. The Red Raiders are 42-11-2 in those games. The most recent Tech loss in a home opener occurred facing North Texas during 1999. However Texas Tech have not lost in since then. The Red Raiders are 2-3 in August games.

Texas Tech also boast a .839 winning percentage at home since 2003, only Texas and Oklahoma hold a superior record in the Big 12. The Red Raiders start 2008 #12 in the nation it’s only the sixth time Tech have even started a year ranked in the AP Top 25. As for the coaches poll they sit at #14 the highest they’ve reached since 2005 when they reached #8.

For Eastern Washington, they rank seventh amongst FCS schools and finished 2007 at 9-4, the exact mirage of Texas Tech’s 2007 record. Eastern’s QB Matt Nichols was the Big Sky offensive MVP in 2007 throwing for 3,744 yards and a school record 34 TD’s. Aaron Boyce is the Eagles most trusted receiver he gained over 1,300 yards with 10 TD’s.

Eastern’s offense finished the previous season fifth in the FCS when it came to total offense (462.3 yards per game) the passing game was also impressive averaging 295.4. The two teams are very similar in these departments but expect the Red Raiders to be more explosive, in 2007 Senior QB Graham Harrell became only the fifth player in the history of the NCAA to throw for 5,000 yards. This led Texas Tech to a top ranked passing offense, they averaged 470.3, 529.6 total offense which finished second in the nation.

Harrell’s 2007 season was incredible along with his huge amount of yardage he also managed 48 TD’s; his favourite receiver was Michael Crabtree. With 22 TD’s and just under 2,000 yards Crabtree became an outstanding receiver, winning the highly acclaimed Biletnikoff award. If Eastern Washington are going to pull an upset they will have to rely on pressure, the Eagles cannot afford to give Harrell too much time in the pocket, he is deadly accurate and with receiving targets like Crabtree, Eric Morris and Edward Britton a 400 yard game is certainly on the cards.

We all know how much this Red Raiders unit loves to pass the football, last year an average of 60 of Tech’s plays were a pass, just 19 were kept on the ground.

As for protecting Harrell, all five offensive lineman return led by Louis Vasquez in 2007 Tech allowed 1.38 sacks per game this is a tally they certainly expect to maintain.

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If there is a weakness the Eagles can exploit on Saturday its running the football. Senior Dale Morris had 930 yards rushing and 12 TD’s, if Eastern can get a running game going it could open up the dangerous passing game. Tech gave up 177 yards on the ground on average in 2007 and this is Mike Leach’s biggest concern. As for the Red Raiders running game in 2007, they ranked 119th getting a measly 59 yards per game on the ground, certainly something RB Shannon Woods would love is to improve this number, but with the high percentage of pass plays it’s unlikely.

This coming Saturday will be the first of four warm-up games for the Red Raiders, the other three coming against Nevada on the road, SMU and Mass at home. Certainly Eastern Washington pose the threat on the offensive side of the ball especially with Matt Nichols at QB, but the real key to the game is will the Eagles halt such a powerful passing game of the Red Raiders own.

Expect a gritty performance from Eastern Washington who are 7-15 versus FBS opponents, but with no real running threat, a weak defensive line in comparison to Tech’s O-line and the momentum carried over from 2007, the Red Raiders should start their season at winning ways.

Texas Tech Keys To Game

• Trust The Running Game
• Defensively, Stay Patient
• Short Passing Game Is Key

Eastern Washington Keys To Game

• Get Pressure On Harrell, Early
• Expose Tech’s Poor Rush Defense
• Don’t Turnover The Football

By Matt Nuttall
Big 12 Fans Texas Tech Correspondent

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