“SHOOTOUT AT THE LUBBOCK CORRAL” OR “RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY”

ESPN's College GameDay will feature the Longhorns for the third time in four weeks as it heads to Lubbock for No. 1 Texas' match-up with No. 7 Texas Tech. This is the first ESPN GameDay in Lubbock, Texas (Jones Stadium). This is a NIGHT GAME. Broadcast 7pm on ABC.

Texas has been at the top pecking order of NCAA football for a long time. Texas is a perennial powerhouse in the Big12 and for national championship consideration.

On the other hand, Texas Tech has not had the glamour of UT. Nevertheless, it has been steadily building its program for 9 years under the incumbent HC Mike Leach. This is the best team Coach Leach has to date but he is not admitting it (yet). #6 Harrell is the all-time record holder at TT and #5 Crabtree is probably the best receiver among 3 deep good receivers and amongst many good receivers that have been in Leach’s program. Since arriving in 2000, Leach’s TT teams have broken 151 individual and team records. He also has ostensibly his best defense in 9 years. Last conference title was way back in 1955

For TT, the Texas game will be the second of four straight against ranked teams.
Texas Tech's big win at then-No. 19 Kansas knocked the Jayhawks out of the rankings. After Texas comes to Lubbock on Saturday, the Red Raiders are home for Oklahoma State, then have a week off before playing at Oklahoma.

For Longhorns, the Texas Tech game will be their fourth straight against a team ranked in the Top 11. The Longhorns has navigated safely through Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State in October, but those games were all at home or on a neutral field. The trip to Lubbock will be the Longhorns' toughest road test yet.

Conf Overall PF PA Home Away
TEX 4-0 8-0 365 147 5-0 3-0
TTU 4-0 8-0 384 169 4-0 4-0


LAST GAME AGAINST THE LONGHORNS - 2007 AT AUSTIN, TX
Texas Tech and Texas combined for 47 of the game's 102 total points in the fourth quarter as the team's traded jabs, before Texas left the field with a 59-43 win in Austin last season. Tech QB Graham Harrell blistered the Longhorn secondary for 466 yards and five touchdowns, while target Michael Crabtree totaled 195 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. Texas RB Jamaal Charles rushed for 174 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries to lead the Longhorn ground game. QB Colt McCoy passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns.

Why Texas Tech will beat Texas

1. TT has gone to eight straight bowl games under Coach Leach, winning 5 of last 6. Red Raiders led NCAA in passing for 5 of Leach’s prior 8 years. Coach Leach’s teams have won 65 games since 2000 (third most in Big12) and have won at least eight games in last 6 years. TT has continuously improved over Leach’s 9 years as coach. IMO this is his best team ever and best shot at beating Texas.

2. TT returns 18 starters. 10 on offense and 8 on defense. Texas returns 11 starters, 7 on offense, 4 on defense. Of course, Texas just reloads. Texas did lose their key playmakers from last year’s team.

3. TT has balance in running game that will force Texas to play them honestly. Running backs average over 5 yds/carry. TT may not use running play that often but when they run, they are successful.

4. Massive TT offensive line has only allowed three sacks this season, meaning they should be better able to neutralize top Texas pass rushers. Offensive line allowed only 18 sacks in 763 passing attempts (1.38 per game)

5. The TT offensive line is the biggest or second biggest in Div I-A depending on which publication you reference. And they are all experienced starters.

6. If Tech can protect Harrell, it will give them the best chance to pick on young Texas safeties Blake Gideon and Earl Thomas -- particularly with game-breaking receivers (3 deep) like Crabtree, Ed Britton, Detron Lewis, Tramain Swindall, Lyle Leong, Adrian Reese, Adam James, Ryan Hale, Eric Morris, etc. roaming through the secondary.

7. Texas weak point is their vulnerable secondary (THE ACHILLES HEEL). Lack of experience and average height of Texas secondary 5’10 while most TT receivers are from 6’1 to 6’3 and experienced/proven. Texas starting cornerback Chykie Brown missed the OSU game with a left ankle injury, and Texas' other starting cornerback, senior Ryan Palmer of Arlington Bowie, had his playing time limited after he hyper-extended his left elbow in practice Wednesday. And Texas has two freshmen starting at safety; that should get Tech QB Graham Harrell, WR Michael Crabtree, and receiver corps salivating at the possibilities. BIG MISMATCH BETWEEN TALENTED TALL TT RECEIVERS versus SMALL, LESS EXPERIENCED TEXAS DEFENSIVE SECONDARY.

8. Texas doesn’t have a premier running back as in prior years. QB McCoy has bulked up and he runs like a Tim Tebow and in some games is the leading rusher.

9. The Longhorn game plan, according to Brown and McCoy, is to throw, throw and throw some more with McCoy completing 81.8 percent of his passes. The running game remains a concern, especially the performance late in the game against Oklahoma State. One thing to watch: will Texas be able to play ball control against Tech using the pass.

In order to be balanced, here are the things to like about Texas:
A. Texas has beaten OU, Mizzou, and Okla State (at home and/or neutral site)
B. Their talented athletes are producing and getting the job done.
C. Coach Mack continues to get new asst coaches that get the job done.
D. They are #1 ranked nationally and Texas has been in many big games.

10. TT weak point appears to be special teams (kicking, more specifically field goals). This game may come down to a field goal.

11. On defense, the Red Raiders appear to be peaking. They have allowed only 23 points in the last six quarters. During a span of 19 defensive possessions, the Red Raiders have allowed only three scoring plays and forced six turnovers. This defensive unit has been improving over the years and underrated. Defensive coordinator Ruffin MacNeill has lit a fire under these players and they have playmakers. Ruffin took over when the former DC resigned following last year’s debacle 45-49 lost to Oklahoma State.

12. TT is the hungrier team. New mindset that has pervaded the team this season. Leach likes to tell anybody who will listen that his team has the third-most victories in his coaching tenure -- more than any team other than Texas and Oklahoma. But his team has never won a South Division championship or made a Bowl Championship Series appearance despite a gaudy offensive resume. During much of that time, the Red Raiders always seemed to stub their toe in an inexplicable upset. They either read their press clippings and expect to go through the motions and get the W or do not take weaker opponents seriously. That attitude appears to have changed this year.

13. This is the "Biggest Game" in the Nine Years of Leach’s Tenure at Texas Tech. (Motivation). Is this the biggest game for a Texas team that has played in BCS and other top tier teams? Texas Tech has been knocking on the door. This is THEIR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY to start kicking the door in.

14. Texas Tech Will Need To Execute Well and Have Fun!!! (TT should be relaxed as a seasoned team with lots of upperclassmen and veterans. They have played Texas every year so there should not be “nervous”. Expect TT to have confidence in their ability to compete and beat the Longhorns.

15. Overall Intangibles: Crowd Factor, Home Team Advantage, Destiny, Lot more riding on this for Texas Tech who haven’t tasted the rarified air that Texas has enjoyed. Its sort of like have nots vs. haves.


TT Top Quality, Massive Offensive Line

Offensive line coach Moore's unit turned in one of the more successful seasons for an offensive line in the Mike Leach era, allowing a slim 18 sacks in 763 pass attempts. The ratio of one sack per every 44 pass attempts led the country. Additionally, Louis Vasquez and Rylan Reed, both of whom are back in 2008, showed discipline and poise last season as both were flagged only once each for holding calls. The duo also allowed only three sacks on the season.
Behind the protection of the offensive line, Texas Tech won its fifth NCAA passing title in the Mike Leach era and first since the 2005 season. The Red Raiders averaged 470.3 yards per game through the air, and quarterback Graham Harrell led the nation in passing and won the Sammy Baugh Award as the country's top quarterback. Moore came to Tech with one year of collegiate coaching experience at Troy, where he helped lead the Trojans to an 8-5 season in 2006, including a New Orleans Bowl Championship over Rice.

Tech Offense
"We had people in his face, and he sat in there and delivered the ball knowing that he was going to take a shot," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. "That's a sign of a pretty doggone good quarterback." Consider this stat: In four home games against Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston and Colorado, Kansas had allowed 38 points. Tech had 35 in the first half en route to a 21-point lead.

Tech Defense
The Tech defense showed the ability to adjust and shut down an offense, just like it did in the second half against Texas A&M. They have to do even more against the Longhorns, who have already beaten Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State on consecutive Saturdays.

The offensive line will have to pick up the blitzes and continue to block well. The Tech offense has to dig into their playbook and come up with variety of screen passes, draw plays, shovel passes, misdirection, and plays specifically designed to counter Texas pass rush/blitzes. Hopefully, they not only have them but have not used them yet during this season. Special plays just for the Longhorns.

PICK: TEXAS TECH 51-48 IN AN OFFENSIVE SHOOTOUT
A POSSIBLE SCENARIO:
IT WILL BE BOMBS AWAY. IT WILL BE “TORA, TORA, TORA”. LAST FOUR GAMES WERE HIGH SCORING BARNBURNERS:
2007: (H) TEXAS 59-43
2006: (V) TEXAS 35-31
2005: (H) TEXAS 52-17
2004: (V) TEXAS 51-21

BOTH TEAMS TEND TO USE THE PASS ATTACK (TYPICAL OF BIG 12) MORE SO THAN THE RUN. BOTH OFFENSES STRETCHES THE FIELD. BOTH CAN MAKE BIG PLAYS. SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR POINTS. IN THE END, TEXAS TECH HAS THE BETTER OVERALL PASSING GAME AND THE MISMATCH AGAINST THE SMALL, INEXPERIENCED TEXAS SECONDARY. BOTH TEXAS AND TEXAS TECH DEFENSES WILL HAVE THEIR SAY, BUT IT IS WHO CONTAINS THE OTHER TEAM’S OFFENSE JUST ENOUGH, SUCH THAT THEIR OFFENSE CAN SCORE 1 MORE POINT THAN THE OPPOSITION.

AS ALWAYS, PROJECTED SCENARIOS ARE SUBJECT TO FUNNY BOUNCES OF THE BALL, INJURIES, OTHER UNKNOWN, SURPRISE FACTORS THAT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN NOW AND DURING THE GAME.

Let the game begin! Guns Up!!!!

Micaiah2004

LOVE IT !!!!

"Put the rankings aside and Texas and Texas Tech are in virtually the same position. The No. 1 Longhorns and No.6 Red Raiders meet Saturday in Lubbock, and a victory by Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree and TT would vault them into the national title discussion.

A victory might not lift the Red Raiders all the way to No. 1 but with games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on deck, plus a possible Big12 title game down the road, TT is in good shape as Texas to reach the BCS championship game IF it can win out.

For coach Leach's Red Raiders, keeping their composure in what's being billed as the biggest game in the program's history might be as crucial as the Xs and Os.

The Red Raiders have been more of a novelty under Leach, putting up crazy passing stats and points but unable to unseat South Division powers Texas and Oklahoma at the top of the Big12 pecking order.

Then there's the Heisman Trophy race. While Texas QB Colt McCoy and his 81 % completion rate, currently holds the position of Heisman front-runner, Harrell's gaudy numbers will look far more impressive if he can knock off No.1 Texas.

TEXAS TECH 43-38

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You may have heard about a football game being played in Lubbock this Saturday night: sixteen wins and zero losses between the two schools. No, Jones Stadium isn't being flown back in time to a 1980s high school playoff game between Odessa Permian and Amarillo High School.

The number one-ranked University of Texas Longhorns are pulling into Lubbock to face the undefeated Red Raiders of Texas Tech. I think I might turn the telly on for this one.

Here are some things I hope to see.

- AT&T Jones Stadium filled with people wearing red. I know there is talk of a "black out," but red looks much better on TV, and it is the RED Raiders.

- Baron Batch running with no signs of the turf toe injury he has. I know it will be bothering him, but this guy is the real deal in the backfield. He runs hard, has good speed, and isn't afraid of contact. He is a difference maker.

- Graham Harrell staying clean. Texas has a great front seven. Tech has a great O-line, and Shannon Woods is a great back for picking up the blitz. If Tech keeps him up with time, then Tech scores plenty of points.

- Michael Crabtree showing the nation what a fantastic, superior athlete looks like at wide receiver at Texas Tech. He is a cut above even the best out there right now. No one has his combination of size, speed, quickness, toughness, and hands. He also throws a nasty block when needed. I truly believe he will be the most talented player on the field on Saturday.

- The Texas Tech D-line putting pressure on Colt McCoy and maintaining their rushing lanes. If you can find a way to slow down McCoy, then Texas has no other answer on offense. He is that good and that important to this team. The season he is having is Heisman worthy so far. His numbers are simply out of this world.

Tech has to bring pressure from the corners and keep the middle jammed up. Give Colt a yard or two of room to roam, and he is off on a long run.

- Texas Tech mixing up their pass coverage. Sit back in a soft zone against Texas, and it will be just like the Nebraska game. They love their short passing game and should. Colt is extremely accurate and needs to be challenged by seeing different coverages.

- Matt Williams continuing to knock through the extra points. The guy is off to a storybook start. Here's to another big game for the contest winner.

- A good game by the refereeing crew. Good calls both ways. Hopefully we will hardly notice they are there.

I'm taking Texas Tech 48-38. Touchdowns are going to be scored. Here's to hoping the red and black have the most points at the end.

Introduction:

Electric… the word doesn’t begin to describe the feeling in Lubbock, Texas. The crowd is beyond excited and no one is even allowed inside the stadium yet. As of 10:20 CST Thursday evening, there are 2,050 students camping out to make sure they get inside the stadium for this game. To say this is a monumental time for Texas Tech is a gross understatement. Emotion is palpable in the air and every facet of Lubbock is ready for this historic occasion.

Texas Passing:

Colt McCoy leads Texas’ offense. The junior from Tuscola has completed 198-242 passes (81.8%) for 2,285 yards with 21 TDs and 4 INTs. McCoy utilizes a passing attack that features short passes to athletic receivers who are relied upon to do most of the work on their own. McCoy is also adept at using his athletic ability to keep plays alive by scrambling to find open receivers or running the ball. McCoy also leads UT in rushing with 80 carries for 412 yards (5.2 YPC) and 7 TDs.

Texas Rushing:

After McCoy, former fullback Chris Ogbonnaya is a weapon in the run game. He has 55 carries for 309 yards (5.6 YPC) and 3 TDs. Vondrell McGee has 64 carries for 270 yards (4.2 YPC) and 2 scores. Cody Johnson leads UT in rushing scores with 60 carries for 216 yards (3.6 YPC) and 10 TDs.

Texas Receiving:

The Longhorns have two go-to receivers in Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby. Shipley paces the WR’s with 58 catches for 737 yards (12.7 YPC) and 10 TDs. Cosby is next with 56 catches for 688 yards (12.3 YPC) with 4 TDs. RB Ogbonnaya has 32 catches for 412 yards (12.9 YPC) and 3 TDs. Blaine Irby, James Kirkendoll, Malcolm Williams, and Dan Buckner have combined for 39 receptions and 6 TDs.

Texas Tech Passing:

Graham Harrell has one final shot at the Longhorns. The senior has been impressive this season and, once again leads the nation in passing yards. Harrell has completed 256-360 passes (71.1%) for 3,147 yards with 28 TDs and 5 INTs. Harrell has also improved his running. He has 20 rushes for 14 yards and 6 scores on the season.

Texas Tech Rushing:

Shannon Woods paces the Red Raiders’ run game with 92 carries for 481 yards (5.2 YPC) with 10 TDs. Baron Batch leads the Raiders in yards per carry. He has 72 carries for 537 yards (7.5 YPC) and 4 TDs. WR Eric Morris has 6 carries for 34 yards and 2 TDs. Injured sophomore Aaron Crawford has 8 carries for 26 yards and 1 score.

Texas Tech Receiving:

Michael Crabtree leads Texas Tech WR corps. The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner has 60 catches for 794 yards (13.2 YPC) and 14 TDs. Detron Lewis has 45 catches for 579 yards (12.9 YPC) and 1 TD. Eric Morris has 42 catches for 452 yards (10.8 YPC) and 4 TDs this season. Edward Britton, coming off a breakout performance against Kansas, has 20 catches for 322 yards (16.1 YPC) and 3 TDs.

Tramain Swindall, Baron Batch, Shannon Woods, Adam James, Lyle Leong, Rashad Hawk, Jacoby Franks, Todd Walker, Aaron Crawford, and Ryan Hale have combined for 104 catches and 7 TDs.

Intangibles:

Mike Leach and his crew have a definite advantage in this one. The Red Raiders are hosting the game and the impact of this cannot be overstated. Outside of the “neutral field” OU game in Dallas, the other ranked team UT has played have been in the friendly confines of Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.

Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock presents a different animal for the Longhorns. The stadium will be full, no doubt. But the stadium will also hold 70 years of collective anticipation and yearning from Texas Tech fans.

Mike Leach has slowly won over media pundits and elite recruits alike. Texas Tech’s head man stands ready to lead his prairie pirates against a tested but tired juggernaut. Don’t give Mack Brown and the Longhorns the BCS National Championship just yet.

Why Texas Will Win:

QB Colt McCoy has been beyond razor-sharp in his passing this season. McCoy’s completion percentage of 81.8 leads the Big 12 and the country.

With tough games against Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State behind them, Texas knows what to do in big games.

Will Muschamp has energized a talented group of players that comprise UT’s defense. Their rankings aren’t great, but no team would have solid stats after surviving the teams they have already played.

UT has quality depth at many positions. Having one of the nation’s best recruiting classes year after year builds depth. Talented players who are ready to go into the game at a moment’s notice are vital in a knockdown, drag out fight like many are expecting Saturday evening.

Rankings—the Longhorns have dealt with the pressure of having a large target on their backs since the end of the Oklahoma game on October 11th.

Why Texas Tech Will Win:

The finest college football coach lives and works in Texas, the best quarterback plays in Texas and the best offensive line in college football plays in Texas. However, this trinity belongs to Texas Tech University, not the University of Texas. Mike Leach and his staff have assembled the best team West Texas has seen in since 1938. Graham Harrell, protected by his stalwart offensive line, leads a potent offense destined to wreak havoc on the undermanned UT secondary.

Texas Tech features extremely talented players at WR. This is important when discussing Texas’ well-documented problems in defending the pass. Michael Crabtree, Eric Morris, Detron Lewis, Edward Britton, Lyle Leong and the rest of Tech’s receivers are ready for the challenge of facing the nation’s top ranked team.

Texas Tech has a running game. In previous seasons, Texas Tech was content to use its running backs as safety valves. Now, the Red Raiders have two bona fide game breakers in Shannon Woods and Baron Batch. Both excel at handling blitzing defenders as well.

Graham Harrell’s decision making is excellent. The senior from Ennis has been impeccable in getting into the right play. In addition, he has shown remarkable poise in avoiding defenders looking to knock him to the turf.

Texas Tech’s defense is under-rated. Ruffin McNeill’s group has heard the detractors since Mike Leach arrived in Lubbock. This group is different—they are talented up front and can pressure opposing QB’s using only the defensive linemen. The young but talented linebackers are solid tacklers and decent cover men, and the experienced secondary has given the ball back to Harrell and company 14 times this season.

Prediction:

Texas—45
Texas Tech—52

11-1-08 NCAAF "Shootout at the Lubbock Corral"

Selections for 11-1-08

Miami (FL) +2
Uconn +4
Ark +7
New Mex +4 1/2
Miss -6
Miss St -3
UL Lafayette -7
Texas Tech +6

ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS:

Minnesota -6 1/2
Michigan St -4 1/2
Oregon St -14
Western Kentucky -16 1/2

ADDING:

LSU -25 1/2 - got blasted by Bulldogs
and now by transferance will blast their neighbor Tulane. Les Miles & his Tigers can be merciless.

USC -42 1/2 - Whittingham is not a good coach and USC will give him a farewell like they did the other Washington (state) team. Sayonara Coach W.

Oklahoma St -30 1/2 - Another blowout as Cowboys are ticked w/lost at Texas that they conceivably could have won. Boone Pickens, alumni, gave multi-million dollar donation to OSU....and if the Cowboys keep doing well, hey, Billionaire Pickens may give another multi-million dollar tithing!!!!!!

Florida St +1 - Bobby Bowden, Jimbo Fisher and the coaches are doing a good job...they just manage to win baby win. This time against a very good Ga Tech (Paul Johnson) group. Seminoles matches up well and will pull it out as they have all season long.

Let's go Denizens!!!! GUNS UP, Texas Tech!!!

Longhorns-Red Raiders, Bulldogs-Gators headline Week 10
By Rece Davis, ESPN.com
This is the point of the season when the chaos hit high gear in 2007. After Nov. 1, teams ranked first or second in the BCS standings went 3-7. The 2008 calendar hits November on Saturday. Will we be treated to an upset encore this season?

Brandon Williams and the Texas Tech defense will be chasing No. 1 Texas on Saturday.

No. 1 Texas gets a stern test in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday night (ABC, 8 ET). It's the biggest game in Red Raiders history, but is this the game that changes Red Raiders history?

Texas Tech is and will always be in Texas' shadow. That's life in the Lone Star State. But rather than being known as a program with a gimmicky offense and an eccentric coach, Texas Tech can arrive as a title contender with a win.

From an emotional standpoint, I think the road trip will actually help Texas. I thought last week against Oklahoma State was the tough one for which to get ready. After the Oklahoma game, Texas heard all week how it couldn't let down for Missouri. Then the Longhorns got basically the same message before facing the Cowboys. The Horns have responded beautifully.

Now, for something completely different, Texas gets a road game in a hostile environment. It's only Texas' second true road game of the season. I think it will help the Horns. Distractions will be limited, and the challenge will be fresh. It'll be the No. 7 Red Raiders who have to deal with the hoopla surrounding the game.

These offenses are prolific, but keep your eyes on the defense -- and not just the Texas defense. Tech has two of the top three sack artists in the Big 12. Brandon Williams and McKinner Dixon rank second and third in the Big 12 in sacks, just behind the Longhorns' Brian Orakpo.

So in a game that will likely be dominated statistically by offenses, which defense can make the key stop, come up with the big sack or force the critical turnover might decide the game. The Longhorns aren't the only ones with playmakers on defense. Keep your eye on whether those two Texas Tech pass-rushers can contain Colt McCoy. That should give us an early sign as to whether the Red Raiders have the chops to pull the upset.

“Both teams have a lot on the line,” UT coach Mack Brown said.

Since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996, Tech has built a decisive home-field advantage with the fifth-highest winning percentage (.786). That includes four wins this season by an average 27 points.

“It’s not the place that you want to go and not do well,” Texas defensive tackle Roy Miller said. “It’s a very hostile environment, and the crowd is a big factor.”

Texas learned the hard way in its last trip to Lubbock in 2006, rallying from an early 21-point deficit to escape with a 35-31 victory.

Under Brown, the Longhorns are 8-2 against the Red Raiders. Both losses have come in Lubbock – and both have been costly.

The Raiders denied Texas a trip to the Big 12 championship game with a 42-35 victory in 1998. Four years later, Tech won 42-38 to knock the fourth-ranked Longhorns out of BCS contention.

This time, the Longhorns will be greeted by a sellout crowd of more than 52,000 in a game being billed as the biggest in school history.

And it’s Halloween weekend.

“When there is a night game, it’s absolutely nuts,” said Tech radio play-by-play announcer Brian Jensen. “You’ll have people showing up in pirate uniforms and all kinds of masks. It’s going to be crazy.”

Jensen said the proximity of the stands at Jones Stadium makes the place even more intimidating.

“The aura of a night game is different,” he said. “It feels like (the crowd) is right on top of you.”

Said Texas quarterback Colt McCoy: “Lubbock is a tough place to play. They are really loud, and it seems like their whole stadium is filled with students.”

Tech is third nationally in scoring (48 points). The Raiders like to frustrate teams with different routes and as many as a half-dozen receivers who could pose problems for the UT secondary, which ranks 110th out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in pass defense (265.5).

“Even though you might know what they’re doing, you still have to stop it,” UT cornerback Ryan Palmer said.

Over the years, opposing coaches have tried all kinds of gimmicks to motivate their teams. In 1989, Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum had an athletic trainer mix red food coloring with water and splashed some on his white shirt before taking the field. Slocum, who lost his final four trips to Lubbock, wanted to make a point: The Aggies would not be rattled by the sea of Raider red.

“I remember R.C. going out there with some red stuff on his back,” said current A&M coach Mike Sherman, who was an assistant on Slocum’s staff at the time.

Sherman also recalls the Tech tradition of throwing corn tortillas on the field.

“I hate to see that wasted food on the field,” Sherman said laughing.

Texas wide receiver Quan Cosby has some advice for his younger teammates making their first trip to Lubbock.

“Take off your sensitive ears,” he said. “(That crowd) will say everything bad in the book.”