2011 Texas Tech Football Spring Review/Fall Preview

Texas Tech has been defined by their offense over the last decade but heading into this fall it could very well be the defense that leads the team. The Red Raiders return eight defensive starters from 2010 opposed to just five offensive starters. New defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow will shift the scheme from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 . Glasgow is looking to bring the same success at TCU to Lubbock and Texas Tech fans are hoping to finally see a dominating defense after year's of trying to get by with winning shootouts. Although they return eight starters the Red Raiders are losing linebackers Bront Bird and Brian Duncan who led the team in tackles and sacks respectively. However, replacing linebackers may not be the most glaring defensive question heading into the fall. 

1. What will the passing attack look like? There's no question that Tommy Tuberville wants to balance the offensive attack and while we'll most likely see that transition begin this fall there's still the question of whether he has the personnel to make the complete jump this season. Junior Seth Doege appeared to have sown up the starting quarterback position during the spring by outperforming Jacob Karam and Scotty Young. 

Doege will have a fairly decent group of receivers to throw to, led by Alex Torres and Austin Zouzalik. There is also a lot of buzz around JUCO transfer Marcus Kennard who had an impressive spring. 

2. Does Texas Tech have the running backs to balance the offense? In 2010 the Red Raiders were seventh in the nation in passing and 75th in rushing. Tuberville wants to balance that out but does he have the backs? Baron Batch has moved on to the NFL which leaves Eric Stephens has the team's returning leading rusher. Last year he averaged 5.3 yards per carry and has the advantage of returning all five starters on the offensive line. 

3. Has the secondary improved? Usually its a good thing to return all four starters from the previous year's defense but Texas Tech ranked 93rd nationally in scoring defense in 2010 and were last in the conference in pass defense and were third from last in the nation.