We've worked our way through all of the match-ups and the last one before game day is Coaching. Here is a review of all of the previous match-ups:
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Texas Tech Quarterback v. Minnesota Quarterback - Advantage: Texas Tech
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Texas Tech Running Backs v. Minnesota Linebackers - Advantage: Texas Tech
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Texas Tech Offensive Line v. Minnesota Defensive Line - Advantage: Texas Tech
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Texas Tech Wide Receivers v. Minnesota Defensive Backs - Advantage: Texas Tech
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Texas Tech Linebackers v. Minnesota Running Backs - Advantage: Minnesota
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Texas Tech Defensive Line v. Minnesota Offensive Line - Advantage: Minnesota
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Texas Tech Defensive Backs v. Minnesota Wide Receivers - Advantage: Texas Tech
- Special Teams - Advantage: Texas Tech
Minnesota: Glen Mason
Most of the information I've gathered about Coach Glen Mason is from my SBNation brother, Black Shoe Diaries. Glen Mason has amassed a career record of 123-120 and a 64-56 record at Minnesota. In just looking at recent history, Minnesota likes to run the ball, with former running back stalwarts, Lawrence Maroney and Marion Barber, III leading the charge. I do not believe that Pinnix has this type of talent, but lets look at what BSD has to say about the offense:
As we've figured out going through the roster, this team is just okay, it's not great at any one facet of the game, they're just okay. Minnesota is also without one of their best weapons, TE Matt Spaeth and recently lost their left tackle.
BSD has this to say about the Minnesota defense:
Obviously, Penn St. and Tech are as polar opposite as two teams can be, and the team that's closest to Tech in style is Northwestern, but those two teams did not play each other this year. Minnesota will not stack 8 in the box against Tech, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust. I'd look for something unusual from Minnesota, they've got nothing to lose here.
Texas Tech: Mike Leach
Mike Leach is a free wheeling offensive guru, who isn't afraid to take chances. Offensively, Leach calls his own plays and is more heavily involved in calling offensive plays than most coaches and literally has nothing to do with the defensive play calling. If you've never read Michael Lewis's incredible New York Times article on Mike Leach, "Coach Leach Goes Deep, Very Deep" then please do so now, it will help you understand how Leach works within a given game.
Tech is stereotyped as a "dink and dunk" offense, and we know, it is much more complicated than short passes to wide receivers and running backs. The offense always runs more efficiently when the QB is able to take some chances down the field.
Defensively, Tech runs a 4-3 and Lyle Setencich has formed a traditionally dismal unit into respectable. Personally, I always want them to be better than what they are, but I suppose that this is just wishful thinking more than anything else, at least right now.
Setencich has made a habit of rotating the defensive line this year and I feel like it's made quite a bit of difference in getting pressure to the opposing QB. The linebackers haven't been bad, but they haven't been good either and the secondary has a tendency to get beat deep, but for the most part they play very well as a unit.
Advantage: Texas Tech.
Overall, and without a doubt, I give the clear advantage to Texas Tech. I generally don't like to predict mud-hole stomping scores because I feel like it's bad luck, but give me Texas Tech 42-17 over Minnesota.
Go Raiders . . .