2012 Big 12 preview: Texas Tech
- Aug. 26, 2012
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- udkne.ws/RQfIwe
2011 Record:
5-7 (2-7 in Big 12)
Key Returners:
QB Seth Doege, RB Eric Stephens, WR Eric Ward, S Cody Davis, S D.J Johnson, DE Dartwan Bush
Key Losses:
RB Aaron Crawford, WR Adam James, WR Jacoby Franks, C Justin Keown, DE Scott Smith, NT Donald Langley
Top Newcomers:
The Red Raiders roped in two four-star wide receivers who could make a nice complement to leading receiver Eric Ward. Reginald Davis and Dominique Wheeler, native Texans, lead Texas Tech’s 2012 class along with defensive end Michael Starts. Davis and Wheeler both stand 6-foot-1-inch, and while Davis has a slightly faster 40-yard dash, Wheeler makes up for it with a few extra pounds. Of the receivers, only Ward broke the 800-yard mark, so any help downfield will make life easier for senior Seth Doege.
Overview:
Texas Tech isn’t in the same boat as Kansas, but it’s certainly sharing the same ocean. The Red Raiders have finished one place above Kansas each of the last two seasons. The disconnect with the Raiders begins on defense. In 2011, they ranked 117th in the nation for points against. To stop the bleeding, Texas Tech brought in former University of North Carolina defensive coordinator Art Kaufman. In Chapel Hill, Kaufman implemented a system that helped the Tar Heels rank 48th in total defense. He is Texas Tech’s fourth defensive coordinator in as many years.
Story To Watch:
Can the Red Raiders finally get their defense together? Art Kaufman was Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville’s defensive coordinator at Ole Miss in the late 1990s— will the two be able to recreate their chemistry? And can Kaufman make it to that elusive second season as the Raiders defensive coach? With Doege’s ability to throw more than 4,000 yards, it all comes back to the defense.
They Said It:
“Just being here a couple of years, everybody said: You’re on the hot seat. I’d like to coach a few of these guys I recruited. So hopefully we can get this thing going a little bit better each year. We’re not there yet. I’ll be the first to tell you, but we’re much closer than we were three years ago.” — Tommy Tuberville on the pressure to win games this season
— Edited by Joanna Hlavacek
