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Red Raiders' Fate Rests On Right Balance at QB
Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach must decide between Graham Harrell and Chris Todd for the starting quarterback position.
(Jerry Laizure - AP)
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For all the questions surrounding who will lead the offense, Texas Tech has a few other concerns. It needs to find a replacement for running back Taurean Henderson, who had 22 touchdowns last year, including rushing for 17. Henderson rushed an average 72.7 yards per game.
Defensively, the team will be missing safeties Dwayne Slay and Vincent Meeks. In addition, strong safety Anthony Hines, who would have been competing for a starting position, has been unable to practice after recovering from a stab wound that, according to Hines's sister, occurred in a Lubbock nightclub.
Much of Texas Tech's success has to do with Leach and his spread offense, which last year averaged 107 yards per game rushing and 385 passing yards. The team has led the nation in passing for four straight seasons.
Although some may still be wide-eyed at their offensive line spreads and the speed and abilities of their backs and receivers, the Red Raiders take it in stride.
"Most people think we run 50 different plays, but when it comes down to it, and you're watching the tape, it's like six different plays but in a lot of different formations," senior guard Manny Ramirez said.
Senior wide receiver Joel Filani agreed.
"People think our offense is so complex; it's not really so much," Filani said. "We just make plays consistently. We just make sure that we run our certain plays the way we're supposed to and we run them accurately."
Leach has certainly gotten his players used to the offense just as he's gotten them used to, each season, having a new quarterback. As for this year, the balance is tipping.
But which way will it go?
