Emails are in: Texas Tech on readers’ minds

This week’s emails are dominated by Texas Tech. OSU fans bemoaning the Cowboys’ performance in Lubbock, OU fans worried about the Nov. 22 showdown.

John, a Tech fan, wrote, “Bottling up Bryant was the most obvious thing the Tech defense pulled off, but not the only thing for a group that’s been all about dishing out lows lately. They held Kansas to a 20-game low in total offense, Texas to a 16-game low in rushing. Oklahoma State scored a season low. Until their final, meaningless series, one that started with fewer than three minutes left, the Cowboys were sitting on a 22-game low in rushing.”

Tech’s defense was very impressive. The OU-Tech game should be fun.

Jim wrote, “Obviously, OSU got beat by two teams that are much better than they are. Texas and Tech. would beat OSU no matter where they play. Their two quarterbacks are very good, but I say again, we made them look like supermen. We can not get a rush on them and we cannot defend the middle of the field. Why? I don’t know. I guess it just a matter of those teams being that much better. The offense is not the problem, but if they are playing catch up all day, it is too much pressure for them to sustain a drive or game plan. I do not agree it was a loss by all levels, I think it is the defense. However, I think OSU still has shot at beating OU, somehow I do not think OU is as good as Texas or Tech. Again, It is just a feeling. I think Tech wins 34 to 27 at OU.”

I say OSU would have beaten Texas in Stillwater. And I say OU beats Tech in Norman, because the Sooners are almost unbeatable at Owen Field.

A different John wrote, “USAF used to have pilot training at Reese AFB near Lubbock. I still remember a poster: ‘Lubbock: think dust!’ Yes, it does seem like a rather unique place. I have lived in both Wichita Falls and College Station, and tend to like Texas with the exception of Austin.”

I like all of Texas except Austin and Houston. Too much traffic in both places.

May was distraught, writing, “I am really convinced that after tonight’s lack of any defense by OSU, Mr. Tim Beckman must go. If I remember right, the next day after OSU defeated Texas Tech last year, Coach Leach immediately fired his defensive coordinator and that game was NOTHING like what the nation saw tonight. I have never seen so many receivers being SO OPEN. Where was our secondary? Always in the wrong place. I do think our team did do a good job on preventing the run but did nothing on the pass department. I agree with you that defensive coordinators are often on the hot seat, but I guess that is why they draw those big bucks. So that Coach Gundy wouldn’t have to do the job, Mr. Beckman should resign and go back to high school ball. Sorry about ranting, but……..ugh.”

It does my heart good to know fans on both sides of Bedlam over-react.

Jim had a great take on Mike Leach: “It is amazing how Mike Leach stands on the sidelines looking as if he had just gotten there and looks confused and as if he doesn’t know what is going on. But looks are deceiving. In my opinion, Mick Leach is an offensive genius. The Sooners will have the struggle of a lifetime.”

I don’t know about the struggle of a lifetime, Jim, but you nailed Leach. He doesn’t look like a coach, he doesn’t act like a coach, but he knows what he’s doing. And the best thing about Leach is the courage of his convictions. He’s committed to what he believes in. Not all coaches are.

Roger also commented on Tech: “It is interesting how greatly my perceptions of football teams has changed so quickly this year. Just two or three weeks ago, I viewed the Red Raiders as a freak show with a mad scientist as head coach. Graham Harrell is a great passer, but surely like all Tech teams of the recent past, they have no running game and poor defense. Or do they? My view today is now quite different, based on how both Tech and OU have been playing. Right now, it appears that Tech has the better overall defense – much to my surprise.”