QUOTABLE | We've always speculated that head coach Tommy Tuberville is hands-off from a coaching standpoint and last week, I believe it was Dr. Cane, that highlighted Tuberville's thoughts on DC Art Kaufman and how he had to trust Kaufman and that Kaufman was more patient than he was. I thought it would be interesting to see what a player thought about the relationship. I don't know that Johnson got too deep, but there seems to be a hands-off bit on the team overall. Not that he's not involved, but he lets his coaches coach and is essentially there for overall support. I find that dynamic interesting and don't know that I have any deep thoughts on it. Just interesting.
NOTES | These are notes from around the interwebs this morning:
* Pay special attention: Kicking game could be lively for Tech-KSU | Red Raiders
* The Other Side: Five questions with Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett (Runnin' with the Raiders blog) | Red Raiders
* Early interest in technology pays big dividends for Cody Davis | Red Raiders
* Florence and Davis Recipients of NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site
* Wreckem247 recaps Tech commits' recent games
* Kansas State, coach focused on today, not BCS | Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News - Sports News o...
* Heisman front-runner Collin Klein leads Kansas State - The Daily Toreador: Sports
* Once pass-happy Texas Tech becomes well-rounded opponent - KansasCity.com
FINDING THEIR WAY | The linebackers have got to find their way this week, otherwise, I think things could get incredibly ugly. As a whole, the linebackers didn’t have the best game, and truthfully, Texas Tech spent a lot of time in nickel coverage with Tre Porter on the field rather than a linebacker. However, I cannot remember a play that LB Terrance Bullitt and LB Blake Dees made that stood out and LB Sam Eguavoen whiffed on a couple of tackles where he was lined up correctly, but just didn’t make the play. I do recall LB Will Smith made some plays, but the linebackers have to do a better job of fitting up in their gap otherwise it could be a long day. Granted, everyone has to play their part including the line, but the linebackers have to step up their game.
THE LIGHT BULB HAS GONE ON | When was the last time that you recall a sack coming from the right guard spot? Last week we saw Beau Carpenter struggle a bit, but Le'Raven Clark has really been fantastic and when you don't even really notice an offensive linemen then he's doing his job. You can completely expect that Clark will step out to left tackle when next year starts as the experience he's had inside will be invaluable, but for now, not having to worry much about the right side is incredibly comforting.
ITEM COMPLETED | Love, loved, loved to see the receivers step up and play and produce. It is tough to discuss I think, senior WR Alex Torres and IR Austin Zouzalik were largely passed by what I think most would consider more talented players in TE Jace Amaro, WR Bradley Marquez and WR Javon Bell. Or at least in theory they are more talented. It's a debatable topic. From everything that we've read, they didn't like being passed on the depth chart and that's understandable. But there is no sulking here, at least not this year and Torres and Zouzalik played incredibly well. You couldn't have asked more from two guys that had few catches before the TCU game. My hat is off good sirs.
KEY TO SUCCESS | I really think that Texas Tech has to get the running game going and I mean consistent yardage and actual gains. So much of this is predicated on QB Seth Doege getting going to open it up, but I would almost guarantee that Wizard Bill Snyder will make all attempts to stop the run and to stop anything deep. Those two thoughts do not usually go into concert because they would most likely be playing back and over the middle. So Wizard Snyder will be at a choice and it may be up to Doege to make sure that Eric Stephens or Kenny Williams or Sadale Foster can get things churning.
WE HAVE QUESTIONS | My biggest question is the defense and if they can actually re-coup things a bit after having a rough outing against TCU. I think that offensively, K-State is more talented than TCU, especially at the quarterback and running back spots and they have a more veteran offensive line. As the competition has increased, so has the yardage, since conference play, and Texas Tech has given up 189 yards, 380 yards, then 408 yards and 516 yards last week. These are good teams and good offenses, so that's not a bad thing, but the defense is going to have to limit K-State to a point.
GOOD JOB GOOD EFFORT | WR's Darrin Moore and Eric Ward are so solid and they've been consistent all year. There is something to be said for stopping just one guy, but stopping both of them has proved to be difficult all year. They each have over 350 yards and each have 8 touchdowns. When one isn't scoring touchdowns, the other one is and that's a good thing. And that's not to say that there aren't other players that haven't stepped up, but these two guys have been very consistent all year.
TAKING AIM | I sometimes leave this graphic off, but I think this week, the aim is to take a look at what's happening right before us. Not next week, not the Texas game, not anything after that. Writing, I tend to just have time to focus on just one game at a time and I really can't imagine it is different for a team. There's just not enough time to look past any particular game.
INJURY REPORT | I removed RB Quinton White, WR Shawn Corker and OG Tony Morales as they are 3 weeks past being healthy, just don't have a firm date on them. They may not play, but they should be healthy.
Fall Practice: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year; ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - out 4 to 6 weeks); DT Anthony Smith (rolled ankle from scooter mishap - out 2 weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot).
Week 1 vs. Northwestern St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 2 to 4 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 4 to 6 more weeks); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - out 2 weeks).
Week 2 vs. Texas St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 3 to 5 more weeks); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - out 1 week); WR Eric Ward (concussion - out 1 game).
Week 3 vs. New Mexico: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 2 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 2 to 4 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be available); WR Marcus Kennard (groin - day to day); CB Cornelius Douglas (pulled abdominal muscle - 1 week).
Week 4 Bye: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 1 more week); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks).
Week 5 Iowa St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - practicing, but may be out 1 more week); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - may be out 1 more week).
Week 6 Oklahoma: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 2 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing).
Week 7 West Virginia: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 more week); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing).
Week 8 TCU: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - should be practicing); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing); WR Bradley Marquez (knee injury - out for the year); WR Javon Bell (broken ankle - out for the year); TE Jace Amaro (bruised ribs - questionable); CB Cornelius Douglas (twisted knee - questionable).
Week 8 Kansas St.: OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); WR Bradley Marquez (knee injury - out for the year); WR Javon Bell (broken ankle - out for the year); TE Jace Amaro (bruised ribs - questionable); CB Cornelius Douglas (twisted knee - questionable).