Texas vs. Texas Tech
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:01 pmNo. 1 Texas vs. No. 7 Texas Tech
When: Sat., Nov. 1, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Where: Lubbock, Texas
Preview: Shootout in Lubbock
Texas at Texas Tech Matchups
Texas offense vs. Texas Tech defense
Oklahoma State held Texas to its lowest offensive output of the season (24 points) last week. Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill can pick up some pointers from that performance. One thing the Cowboys did well was to change their pre-snap looks from one down to the next. At times, they would show blitz from one angle but bring it from another. At other times, they would give the pre-snap look of an all-out blitz but would send only four defenders to rush the quarterback. That move created a feeling of urgency for Longhorns QB Colt McCoy when he was throwing against seven defenders in coverage. McCoy does a good job of recognizing his hot reads and getting the ball out quickly and accurately to his receivers underneath, but when pressure is applied, McCoy obviously is most comfortable throwing to senior receivers Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby (who combined for 244 yards and 23 receptions last week). But forcing McCoy to get rid of the ball more quickly than usual limits Texas' big-play potential on offense, and the six passes that the Longhorns dropped against Oklahoma State illustrate how a quarterback's quick release can disrupt a receiver's timing.
If Texas Tech uses a similarly aggressive game plan, its defensive backs will be under a lot of pressure to close quickly and tackle effectively in space. Per usual, the Red Raiders will play a lot of zone coverage with the idea that they can live with surrendering yards on underneath throws as long as they limit big plays and eventually force turnovers. In zone coverage, the Tech defenders can read the quarterback's eyes and drive on balls thrown in front of them. Zone coverage also helps limit a quarterback's rushing yards because defenders' backs rarely are turned toward the line of scrimmage, and that should be beneficial against McCoy.
Versatile safety Darcel McBath needs to make sure the Texas Tech secondary is lined up properly and knows its zone assignments. The senior forced three interceptions against Kansas and will be counted on to make more big plays this week. McBath has good instincts, ball skills and toughness. And no matter how many pass-rushers the Red Raiders send, they will rely on defensive ends Brandon Williams (nine sacks) and McKinner Dixon (eight) to keep the pressure on McCoy. Williams is the starter at right defensive end and Dixon is a backup, but Dixon has been unbelievably productive as a rotation player and allowed both to remain fresh late in games.
McNeill has done an excellent job of making in-game adjustments this season. The Red Raiders surrendered 14 points in the first quarter against Kansas, but the Jayhawks did not score again until the fourth quarter. Tech's defense also limited Texas A&M to just 32 yards of total offense in the second half after giving up 23 points in the first two quarters.
Texas Tech offense vs. Texas defense
Like most spread-formation offenses, coach Mike Leach's version is designed to stretch the defense across the field and exploit mismatches. What makes Leach's system unique is its pass-run ratio, which this season is nearly 2-to-1. QB Graham Harrell is the most experienced quarterback to operate the system during Leach's tenure, and Michael Crabtree is the best all-around wide receiver in college football. Add an efficient, veteran offensive line to the mix, and you begin to understand why the Red Raiders rank first nationally in passing and third in scoring. The two biggest priorities for Texas' defense are to limit Crabtree's production and to keep maximum pressure on Harrell with few pass-rushers. Both objectives are much easier said than done.
The best way to defend Crabtree is to use physical-bracket coverage on him. Look for CBs Ryan Palmer and Chykie Brown to get in Crabtree's face frequently and use press-coverage techniques to impede his release off the line of scrimmage. The corners must force an inside release because no help will be available if Crabtree gets outside and up the sideline. Texas' outside linebackers will be instructed to take quick drops so they take away slant routes, and its safeties will offer deep help over the top, but the back seven can't become too preoccupied with Crabtree because the Red Raiders have plenty of other capable weapons.
Wide receivers Detron Lewis, Eric Morris, Tramain Swindall and Edward Britton all contribute. Lewis (45 receptions, 579 yards, 1 TD) is a crisp route-runner with reliable hands, Morris (42-452-4) is the quickest of the group, Swindall (31-370-1) is a big target at 6-foot-3 and Britton (20-322-3) is an emerging playmaker with the speed to stretch the field vertically. Britton did just that on Tech's first touchdown last week, using his speed to get over the top of the cornerback and exploit the deep middle, which was open because both Kansas safeties were occupied with Crabtree. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp needs his talented-but-young safety tandem of Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon to avoid that kind of mistake.
Muschamp's other challenge is to penetrate a Texas Tech offensive line that arguably is the best pass-protection group in the nation. The Red Raiders have surrendered only three sacks on 391 pass attempts this season, by far the best ratio in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The unit as a whole does a fine job of communicating, and its wide splits force opposing edge rushers to take longer paths to the quarterback. But the Longhorns proved against Missouri that they are capable of applying consistent pressure against a similar scheme. DE Brian Orakpo (nine sacks) and DE/OLB Sergio Kindle (5.5) form one of the nation's most dangerous pass-rushing tandems. Muschamp knows he can't afford the risk of blitzing frequently, so he will rely on Kindle, Orakpo and the rest of his defensive front to turn in a similar performance this week.
Finally, although Leach doesn't like to run very much, this year's running game is the most successful he has coached at Texas Tech. The offensive line does a solid job of opening holes, and Shannon Woods is a veteran runner who has good vision and quickness. Sophomore Baron Batch also has been productive as the backup. The Red Raiders likely will run the ball even less than usual versus Texas' stout defensive front, anchored in the middle by DTs Roy Miller and Lamarr Houston. But if Leach catches Muschamp using smaller personnel and/or cheating too many defenders out of the box, Woods certainly is capable of picking up chunks of yardage on quick-hitting inside runs and draws.
Special Teams
Texas has a huge advantage on special teams. Longhorns K Hunter Lawrence has connected on all seven of his field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards, while P John Gold is averaging 43.6 yards per punt and has placed seven of his 19 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Justin Tucker will kick off for the Longhorns. He is averaging 64.4 yards per kickoff with 17 of 56 kickoffs ending in touchbacks. His cover teams need to be on high alert this week versus the nation's 19th-ranked (24.0 ypr) kickoff-return unit. The Red Raiders also have been solid on punt returns, as Morris has handled most of the duties there and has averaged 11.1 yards per return, including an 86-yard score.
Texas Tech has turned to Matt Williams for its place-kicking duties. A walk-on who won the job after being spotted during a halftime field goal-kicking contest, Williams connected on all nine of his extra-point attempts last week, but he has yet to attempt a field goal. The team ranks 98th in net punting, with Jonathan LaCour averaging only 37.8 yards per attempt alongside a marginal cover unit. Luckily for Tech, the Longhorns are more effective at returning kickoffs than punts. Shipley returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma a few weeks ago, and he reads blocks well and reaches top speed quickly. Cosby returns punts and some kickoffs for the Longhorns, averaging 6.3 yards per return and 21.1 yards per kick return.
Key individual matchup
Texas QB Colt McCoy vs. Texas Tech S Darcel McBath
Last week's interception against Oklahoma State was McCoy's fourth in eight games this season, a significant improvement from last year's 18 interceptions in 13 games. The junior is making much better decisions, and instead of forcing throws into coverage, he tucks the ball away and takes off running. McCoy needs to maintain that prudent decision-making style in Lubbock this week versus McBath and an opportunistic Red Raiders defense.
McBath is emerging as the playmaker in Texas Tech's secondary. He forced three interceptions last week and is tied for third on the team with 44 total tackles. The senior displays very good instincts in coverage and fills hard versus the run. McBath will play a key role this week, as he needs to make quick decisions and take sound pursuit angles to limit McCoy's production on the ground. And if McCoy does throw the ball up for grabs at some point, McBath has proven capable of cashing in on such a mistake.
Scouts' Edge
The Longhorns will take care of business in Lubbock for three reasons. First, Orakpo and Kindle will apply more pressure on Harrell than he is accustomed to seeing. Second, McCoy's dual-threat ability will exploit Tech's occasional lack of discipline, and he won't bail out the defense with turnovers the way Kansas QB Todd Reesing did last week. Finally, Texas Tech's mess of a kicking game will finally prove too costly to overcome.
Prediction: Longhorns 41, Red Raiders 31
When: Sat., Nov. 1, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Where: Lubbock, Texas
Preview: Shootout in Lubbock
Texas at Texas Tech Matchups
Texas offense vs. Texas Tech defense
Oklahoma State held Texas to its lowest offensive output of the season (24 points) last week. Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill can pick up some pointers from that performance. One thing the Cowboys did well was to change their pre-snap looks from one down to the next. At times, they would show blitz from one angle but bring it from another. At other times, they would give the pre-snap look of an all-out blitz but would send only four defenders to rush the quarterback. That move created a feeling of urgency for Longhorns QB Colt McCoy when he was throwing against seven defenders in coverage. McCoy does a good job of recognizing his hot reads and getting the ball out quickly and accurately to his receivers underneath, but when pressure is applied, McCoy obviously is most comfortable throwing to senior receivers Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby (who combined for 244 yards and 23 receptions last week). But forcing McCoy to get rid of the ball more quickly than usual limits Texas' big-play potential on offense, and the six passes that the Longhorns dropped against Oklahoma State illustrate how a quarterback's quick release can disrupt a receiver's timing.
If Texas Tech uses a similarly aggressive game plan, its defensive backs will be under a lot of pressure to close quickly and tackle effectively in space. Per usual, the Red Raiders will play a lot of zone coverage with the idea that they can live with surrendering yards on underneath throws as long as they limit big plays and eventually force turnovers. In zone coverage, the Tech defenders can read the quarterback's eyes and drive on balls thrown in front of them. Zone coverage also helps limit a quarterback's rushing yards because defenders' backs rarely are turned toward the line of scrimmage, and that should be beneficial against McCoy.
Versatile safety Darcel McBath needs to make sure the Texas Tech secondary is lined up properly and knows its zone assignments. The senior forced three interceptions against Kansas and will be counted on to make more big plays this week. McBath has good instincts, ball skills and toughness. And no matter how many pass-rushers the Red Raiders send, they will rely on defensive ends Brandon Williams (nine sacks) and McKinner Dixon (eight) to keep the pressure on McCoy. Williams is the starter at right defensive end and Dixon is a backup, but Dixon has been unbelievably productive as a rotation player and allowed both to remain fresh late in games.
McNeill has done an excellent job of making in-game adjustments this season. The Red Raiders surrendered 14 points in the first quarter against Kansas, but the Jayhawks did not score again until the fourth quarter. Tech's defense also limited Texas A&M to just 32 yards of total offense in the second half after giving up 23 points in the first two quarters.
Texas Tech offense vs. Texas defense
Like most spread-formation offenses, coach Mike Leach's version is designed to stretch the defense across the field and exploit mismatches. What makes Leach's system unique is its pass-run ratio, which this season is nearly 2-to-1. QB Graham Harrell is the most experienced quarterback to operate the system during Leach's tenure, and Michael Crabtree is the best all-around wide receiver in college football. Add an efficient, veteran offensive line to the mix, and you begin to understand why the Red Raiders rank first nationally in passing and third in scoring. The two biggest priorities for Texas' defense are to limit Crabtree's production and to keep maximum pressure on Harrell with few pass-rushers. Both objectives are much easier said than done.
The best way to defend Crabtree is to use physical-bracket coverage on him. Look for CBs Ryan Palmer and Chykie Brown to get in Crabtree's face frequently and use press-coverage techniques to impede his release off the line of scrimmage. The corners must force an inside release because no help will be available if Crabtree gets outside and up the sideline. Texas' outside linebackers will be instructed to take quick drops so they take away slant routes, and its safeties will offer deep help over the top, but the back seven can't become too preoccupied with Crabtree because the Red Raiders have plenty of other capable weapons.
Wide receivers Detron Lewis, Eric Morris, Tramain Swindall and Edward Britton all contribute. Lewis (45 receptions, 579 yards, 1 TD) is a crisp route-runner with reliable hands, Morris (42-452-4) is the quickest of the group, Swindall (31-370-1) is a big target at 6-foot-3 and Britton (20-322-3) is an emerging playmaker with the speed to stretch the field vertically. Britton did just that on Tech's first touchdown last week, using his speed to get over the top of the cornerback and exploit the deep middle, which was open because both Kansas safeties were occupied with Crabtree. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp needs his talented-but-young safety tandem of Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon to avoid that kind of mistake.
Muschamp's other challenge is to penetrate a Texas Tech offensive line that arguably is the best pass-protection group in the nation. The Red Raiders have surrendered only three sacks on 391 pass attempts this season, by far the best ratio in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The unit as a whole does a fine job of communicating, and its wide splits force opposing edge rushers to take longer paths to the quarterback. But the Longhorns proved against Missouri that they are capable of applying consistent pressure against a similar scheme. DE Brian Orakpo (nine sacks) and DE/OLB Sergio Kindle (5.5) form one of the nation's most dangerous pass-rushing tandems. Muschamp knows he can't afford the risk of blitzing frequently, so he will rely on Kindle, Orakpo and the rest of his defensive front to turn in a similar performance this week.
Finally, although Leach doesn't like to run very much, this year's running game is the most successful he has coached at Texas Tech. The offensive line does a solid job of opening holes, and Shannon Woods is a veteran runner who has good vision and quickness. Sophomore Baron Batch also has been productive as the backup. The Red Raiders likely will run the ball even less than usual versus Texas' stout defensive front, anchored in the middle by DTs Roy Miller and Lamarr Houston. But if Leach catches Muschamp using smaller personnel and/or cheating too many defenders out of the box, Woods certainly is capable of picking up chunks of yardage on quick-hitting inside runs and draws.
Special Teams
Texas has a huge advantage on special teams. Longhorns K Hunter Lawrence has connected on all seven of his field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards, while P John Gold is averaging 43.6 yards per punt and has placed seven of his 19 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Justin Tucker will kick off for the Longhorns. He is averaging 64.4 yards per kickoff with 17 of 56 kickoffs ending in touchbacks. His cover teams need to be on high alert this week versus the nation's 19th-ranked (24.0 ypr) kickoff-return unit. The Red Raiders also have been solid on punt returns, as Morris has handled most of the duties there and has averaged 11.1 yards per return, including an 86-yard score.
Texas Tech has turned to Matt Williams for its place-kicking duties. A walk-on who won the job after being spotted during a halftime field goal-kicking contest, Williams connected on all nine of his extra-point attempts last week, but he has yet to attempt a field goal. The team ranks 98th in net punting, with Jonathan LaCour averaging only 37.8 yards per attempt alongside a marginal cover unit. Luckily for Tech, the Longhorns are more effective at returning kickoffs than punts. Shipley returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma a few weeks ago, and he reads blocks well and reaches top speed quickly. Cosby returns punts and some kickoffs for the Longhorns, averaging 6.3 yards per return and 21.1 yards per kick return.
Key individual matchup
Texas QB Colt McCoy vs. Texas Tech S Darcel McBath
Last week's interception against Oklahoma State was McCoy's fourth in eight games this season, a significant improvement from last year's 18 interceptions in 13 games. The junior is making much better decisions, and instead of forcing throws into coverage, he tucks the ball away and takes off running. McCoy needs to maintain that prudent decision-making style in Lubbock this week versus McBath and an opportunistic Red Raiders defense.
McBath is emerging as the playmaker in Texas Tech's secondary. He forced three interceptions last week and is tied for third on the team with 44 total tackles. The senior displays very good instincts in coverage and fills hard versus the run. McBath will play a key role this week, as he needs to make quick decisions and take sound pursuit angles to limit McCoy's production on the ground. And if McCoy does throw the ball up for grabs at some point, McBath has proven capable of cashing in on such a mistake.
Scouts' Edge
The Longhorns will take care of business in Lubbock for three reasons. First, Orakpo and Kindle will apply more pressure on Harrell than he is accustomed to seeing. Second, McCoy's dual-threat ability will exploit Tech's occasional lack of discipline, and he won't bail out the defense with turnovers the way Kansas QB Todd Reesing did last week. Finally, Texas Tech's mess of a kicking game will finally prove too costly to overcome.
Prediction: Longhorns 41, Red Raiders 31
