No. 18 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Editor’s Note: Beginning every May 1, Athlon Sports counts toward the release of its College Football Annuals by releasing one spot in its Top 25 every weekday for five weeks. The No. 1 team will be revealed June 4. Check AthlonSports.com every day to see who’s next in the countdown. The 2008 College Football Annuals hit newsstands June 3rd.

At a school known for changing quarterbacks on a yearly basis, Graham Harrell has brought stability to the position at Texas Tech. With Harrell entering his third year as the starter and wide receiver Michael Crabtree also back, coach Mike Leach’s Red Raiders should continue to throw the ball more prolifically than anyone else on the planet.

As a sophomore in 2006, Harrell threw for 4,555 yards, then followed that up last year by becoming the sixth player in NCAA history to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a season. He has completed 69 percent of his 1,385 career passes for 10,682 yards, and has thrown 86 touchdown passes over the last two seasons alone.

In 2007, Crabtree amassed the gaudiest receiving numbers of any freshman who ever played the game. He caught 134 passes for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns, became the school’s first unanimous All-American since linebacker Zach Thomas in 1995 and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver.

All three of the running backs who shared the load in 2007 return, with Shannon Woods leading the way after a 439-yard campaign. First-team All-Big 12 guard Louis Vasquez leads four returning starters back to action in the offensive line.

There are eight starters back on defense, with linebacker Marlon Williams the top returning tackler. End Brandon Williams, who posted team highs with 12.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks, is back along with cornerback Jamar Wall, who led the team with five interceptions.

Missouri is mercifully missing from the 2008 schedule, but Texas will come calling on Nov. 1. There is an open date before the trip to Oklahoma on Nov. 22.

Harrell hits new high In the Red Raiders’ 31–28 win over Virginia on New Year’s Day, Harrell set a new Gator Bowl record with 407 passing yards.

Atop the charts Crabtree led the nation in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.

Postseason regulars Mike Leach has coached Texas Tech to bowl games in each of the eight seasons since he took over in Lubbock.

Texas Tech superlatives:

WR Michael Crabtree is named First-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big 12.

OL Louis Vasquez is named Second-Team All-America and First Team All-Big 12.

CB Jamar Wall is named First-Team All-Big 12.

OL Marlon Winn, DL Brandon Williams and S Darcel McBath join the All-Big 12 Third Team.

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You can read the entire Texas Tech preview in the 2008 Athlon Sports College Football magazine, available for purchase now at the Athlon Sports store.

Also coming to AthlonSports.com this summer:
— Top 25 Heisman Hopefuls
— Live chats with Athlon editors
— Conference-preview videocasts
— Launch of the 2009 Athlon Consensus 100
— Athlon's college fantasy football draft kit

Other in-season offerings:
— Previews for every college football game
— Fantasy games
— Sideline Spirit voting
— Scenes From Saturday
— Updated Athlon 119
— Much more

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