By Don Williams | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Rivals.com Preseason Countdown: No. 14 Texas Tech
LUBBOCK – Texas Tech junior quarterback Graham Harrell said what Colorado redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins is experiencing this season – playing for his father, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins – is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Compared to the past couple of quarterbacks the Colorado Buffaloes have faced, Texas Tech's Graham Harrell is a sitting duck. Unfortunately for the Buffs, that's no guarantee they'll break out of their recent sack slump this week.
With wide receiver extraordinaires Michael Crabtree and Danny Amendola as teammates, Eric Morris doesn't get many passes thrown his way. Just call him the Wes Welker of the Red Raiders.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Jones AT&T Stadium (52,882) -- Lubbock, Texas. Television: ABC. Home Record: Colorado 2-2, Texas Tech 4-0. Away Record: Colorado 1-2, Texas Tech 2-2. Neutral Record: Colorado 1-0, Texas Tech 0-0. Conference Record: Colorado 2-2, Texas Tech 2-2.
LUBBOCK – Mike Leach is known for being a mad scientist when it comes to calling plays for Texas Tech's potent spread offense. But Leach wasn't looking to blow up his formula Monday, two days after the Red Raiders' national-best offense fizzled in a 41-10 loss at Missouri.
Tillman takes next step Texas Tech linebacker Kellen Tillman is allowed to take part in meetings and practice this week. That's a step up from last week, when Tillman's preparation was limited to conditioning work as he returned from a suspension.
That good old-fashioned gang tackling that Ruffin McNeill asked for and received from his Texas Tech defense there for about three weeks? Well, the team's interim defensive coordinator is asking for it again.
LUBBOCK – Texas Tech coach Mike Leach just about cringes when he says the word. Leach, the master of the spread offense, can't stand to punt.
Texas Tech Red Raiders has not initiated any private discussions.