Practice has begun, college football is less than a month away and we're ready. Over the next four week we'll be counting down with fan previews of the Top 25 teams as voted on by you.

Suggested Team Slogan: We Can Gun, But Can We Stop The Run?

What was learned in 2007: Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree can't be stopped, barely even contained. Harrell threw for 5,705 yards, 1,962 of which went through Crabtree's hands. Juggernaut-type numbers that will be duplicated again this fall, if not improved upon. Regardless of the year, Mike Leach's offense is going to put up massive numbers that will keep the Red Raiders in every game.

It all comes down to defense.

Expectations in 2008: The coaches tabbed Texas Tech No. 14 in their preseason poll, a ranking that I believe is too high. The Red Raiders were 4-4 in the Big 12 last year, and having to visit Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas A&M and Kansas State, I don't see them winning more than one of those games. But that's just my take, those in Lubbock see the high preseason ranking and want Big 12 Title. Disappointment lurks...

What could hold them back: Defense, defense, defense. Same story, different year. I wonder if Mike Leach even acknowledges that side of the ball in practice? In the Red Raiders four losses, they gave up roughly 45 points per game. I don't envision a porous unit turning into a Big 12 Champ caliber defense overnight. Leach added a junior college defensive end they are thrilled about in Brandon Sesay, who should add a pass rushing threat. He'll need to be an All-Big 12 type immediate impact if the Red Raiders have any chance. It helps that the defensive backfield is above average. As is always the case in football, good teams are seperated by great teams by just a couple plays that bounce the right way. Texas Tech will give up yards and points, but if they can balance that with enough big turnovers then who knows. Maybe this will be the best team in Lubbock since 1976.

Big Men on Campus: It's obvious. The Raiders are all about Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. They are a must watch pass and catch combo. I wasn't buying all the hype on Crabtree for most of last year, assuming the yards were all easy wide open catches against weak opponents. Then I saw Crabtree carry the team on his back against Texas. The Red Raiders lost, but not even the Longhorns All-American talent on defense could stop him. He'll fight the "system" label when it comes to Heisman talk, but he could be worthy of a visit to New York this winter.

Cheerleader Grade:



Yes, No, NO. A couple All-Americans in Lubbock, but absolutely no depth. None. Nadda. D+

NCAA Football '09 Simulation: 10-3 (5-3) with losses to Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska. A 
27-13 victory over Washington St in the Emerald Bowl.

1st team All-American: Wr Michael Crabtree
2nd team All-American: Qb Graham Harrell, Wr Eric Morris
1st team All-Big 12: Wr Michael Crabtree
2nd team All-Big 12: Qb Graham Harrell, Wr Eric Morris, Rolb Marlon 
Williams

Wr Michael Crabtree: 133 catches for 1857 yards and 14 Td's. 
Beletnikoff winner.
Qb Graham Harrell: 429-599 for 5470 yards, 55 td's and 11 int's. 
Heisman, Maxwell, and Davey O'Brien award winner.
Wr Eric Morris: 86 catches for 1234 yards and 15 td's
Rolb Marlon Williams: 71 tackles 10 TFL 1 sack and 5 int's.

Schedule and Predictions

Aug. 30	Eastern Washington W
Sept. 6	at Nevada W
Sept. 13	SMU W
Sept. 20	Massachusetts W
Oct. 4	at Kansas State L
Oct. 11	Nebraska W
Oct. 18	at Texas A&M L
Oct. 25	at Kansas L
Nov. 1	Texas L
Nov. 8	Oklahoma State W
Nov. 22	at Oklahoma L
Nov. 29	Baylor W

That's quite the schedule, Leach. Eastern Washington AND Massachusetts? I realize UMass is a very good D1-AA team, but scheduling two lower division opponents is about as weak as it gets. Texas Tech is a better team than Kansas State, but the light schedule and overconfidence will bite them in Manhattan. If they're going to pull a big upset, I can see it happening in Lawrence but I've got too much confidence in the grind it out capabilities of the Jayhawks. 7-5 and a likely bowl win.

Your thoughts and predictions?