Red Raiders' Fate Rests On Right Balance at QB

If you invert the Texas Tech "T," it resembles a balance -- a long vertical beam centered between two shorter horizontal parts intended to measure two different weights.

At a time when the Red Raiders faithful have become accustomed to seeing a regular rotation of quarterbacks (there has been a new starter each of the last four years), it is no surprise that, with the graduation of Cody Hodges, Texas Tech is seeking a new quarterback. Ah, but here's the rub: Instead of one senior coming off the bench to start for one year, the two front-runners in this year's quarterback competition are not seniors. For the first time since 2002, Coach Mike Leach may have to get used seeing the same face for more than one year. It's a concept with the potential to have an impact on Texas Tech's future.

"I think it will affect us in the future because [the quarterback will] get to play three years instead of just one year," said Graham Harrell, one of those in competition for the starting job. "It will affect us in the future more than in the upcoming year."

Leach is weighing his options carefully. Laid out in one pan is Harrell, a sophomore who in 2005 played in six games, including the team's 13-10 loss in the Cotton Bowl. In the other pan lies Chris Todd, who was a redshirt as a freshman last year. Seemingly not a day passes without Leach being asked some variant of: Have you made a decision yet?

Though it has been said that Harrell has the edge over Todd, Leach has yet to officially make a decision and has said that based on spring ball, the competition is wide open. However, many would be surprised if Harrell wasn't the starter when Texas Tech hosts Southern Methodist University on Sept. 2. Then again, Leach has indicated that the two are on equal footing.

"Both of them, real accurate guys," Leach said during Big 12 media day. "Both of them, sharp guys. Both of them, you know, you go to close the building and you have to kick them out of some film room."

Three points each to Harrell and Todd.

"And both their fathers were coaches," Leach continued. "I think they're both ahead of their time, I think, a little bit."

The scale is in equilibrium.

Todd has no problem with the competition and said he would just have to make sure he was prepared.

"There are some really good quarterbacks here, but I knew that coming in," Todd said. "I knew I was going to have to play really well and to play at a school like this, you should have to do that."

A decision is expected soon enough, but even its timing needs to be weighed carefully. To adequately prepare, the starter needs enough advance notice, but if indeed Harrell and Todd are neck and neck, making an informed decision might require some time.