Texas Tech Defense:

[FinallyADefense]

Will try to discuss our defense a little, but it won't be that detailed, since I have zero idea about Tuberville's X's & O's. Tuberville has said he wanted to identify about 25-30 guys who can play, and rotate those guys in, and out. He doesn't want people staying out there, and getting tired. In the past, Tech has only played about 18 guys.

LDE: Scott Smith (6'6 266)--#1 JUCO DL in country last year. Mean, Fast, and has great motor.
DT: Donald Langely (6'2 257)--signed with Tenn out of HS. Has been impressive first year on campus.
NT: Colby Whitlock (6'3 294)--Will be 4th yr startert; Was HS wrestler
RDE: Brian Duncan (6'1 248)--Will be DE in 4-3; OLB in 3-4; Played ILB in the past.

SAM: Sam Fehoko (6'0 233)--From Hawaii; Great Blitzer, and very aggressive; will lead team in the Haka. Father is the Hawaiian Mascot.
MIKE: Bront Bird (6'4 248)--Played OLB in the past, moved to MIKE in the Spring.
WILL: Julius Howard (5'11 220)--Father played Basketball @SMU; played S last yr

LCB: Will Ford (6'0 190)--Originally committed to OU; Nickelback at Freshman last yr.
LS: Cody Davis (6'2 194)--1st team Freshman AA in '09; had 81 tackles last yr.
RS: Franklin Mitchem (6'2 200)--Big Hitter; 2 INT's in '09; 73 tackles in '09
RCB: DJ Johnson (6'0 190)--not great speed; played as True Freshman last yr.

Defensive Coordinator: James Willis--Played LB for Tuberville at Auburn; Played 7 yrs in NFL with Packers, Eagles, and Seahawks. In '08 was LB coach for Tuberville, and Auburn. In '09 was LB coach for Nick Saban at Alabama. 1st yr as a DC.

Texas Tech's defense will be a multiple defense. Will run a 4-3, 3-4, Nickel, Dime, 5-2, 3-3-5, and anything else you can think of. Will play both man, and zone. Will press the corners. Will try to disguise coverages, and blitzes. Will be very aggressive, and the QB won't know where the blitz is coming from. Tries to confuse the offense, and their assignments. Very complicated type of defense, that in it's first year, will give up big plays, but will also probably cause some big plays, too.


I know I have repeated some of this, but hopefully this will give SMU fans a good idea of Tech's new defense. I haven't listed everyone that will play, just the starters on the depth chart. There will be so much rotating in, and out, it will be difficult to know who is in the game, and where. In the past, Tech has basically relied on a 4-3 zone, and rarely blitzed. They basically played soft with their corners, and was a "Bend don't break" defense. In '08, they ranked 79th in total defense (74th in Scoring) in Ruffin's first yr as DC, and in '09, they improved to 49th in total defense (41st in scoring).

[ponyte]

I thought TTU was making strides to improve last year on defense. I know nothing about Leach's recruiting of defensive players but it seemed he had at least adequate talent on defense.

That said, TTU nor Tuberville have seen a JJ offense before. This could be an interesting match, new defense against a JJ offense. If SMU executes, then I think TTU defense will have to play extremely well to contain SMU.

If SMU's offense pulls a BLM (turnovers for TDs), then this is over fast.

Our defense, though improved, may not be able to contain a Big 12-2 TTU offense for 4 quarters. Our best chance is for a high scoring offense that keeps TTU defenses on its heels and puts added pressure on a new TTU offense to keep up.