2009 Record: 9-4 (5-3)
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville (1st season...110-60 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Neal Brown (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: James Willis (1st season)
2009 Bowl Game: Alamo Bowl, defeated Michigan State 41-31
Offense: Neal Brown was brought in from Troy to try to keep the high flying offense that Raider fans enjoyed during the Mike Leach era. He has a very cool dilemma to have, which is the issue of choosing either Taylor Potts or Stephen Sheffield as his QB. Both are potentially awesome number QB guys, and both tossed 7 TD passes in a game last season. Baron Batch returns at RB, and will be tasked with balancing out the passing game with the running game. Expect Batch to get many more carries out of different formations this season. All 4 receivers return from last season too. Alex Torres caught 67 passes last season, and IR Detron Lewis returns as well (65 catches). Lewis figures to be a leader this season. The right side of the line is being rebuilt, and there will be a new LT (Terry McDaniel or Chris Olson).
Defense: This is an area that ought to be vastly improved from this point going forward. Mike Leach never paid any attention to his defense, and it led to issues between players. James Willis was the former LB coach at Alabama, so look for a more physical and focused approach on D. Colby Whitlock will be the NT, but both ends will be new. Bront Bird and Brian Duncan return at LB, with Julius Howard grabbing an open spot. The 4th LB spot is open for competition. LaRon Moore returns at CB, with the other spot being fought out in fall camp. Franklin Mitchem and Cody Davis return at the safety spot.
Special Teams: Matt Williams returns at PK, and is very accurate. Russell Erxelben will punt once again, and his leg is a valued asset for the Raiders.
2010 Schedule
Wins: 9/5 SMU, 9/11 @ New Mexico, 10/2 @ Iowa State, 10/9 Baylor (@ Dallas), 10/23 @ Colorado, 11/20 Weber State
Toss Up Games: 10/16 Oklahoma State, 10/30 @ Texas A&M, 11/6 Missouri, 11/27 Houston
Losses: 9/18 Texas, 11/13 @ Oklahoma
There are 6 wins, with the potential for 8 if they split the toss games. The Houston game on 11/27 should be one hell of a show.
Outlook: If Tech can take their prolific offense and add a dominant defense to the mix, than Oklahoma and Texas could finally have a real live challenger. Tuberville was a solid hire after the debacle with Mike Leach. The players have already discussed how much more focused camp is, and how much calmer the process is than before. Tech could have a very nice season.
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