Week 7: Texas A&M at Texas Tech

When he watches Texas Tech redshirt freshman Michael Crabtree do his thing, Texas A&M defensive coordinator Gary Darnell starts his assessment with one word.

“Whew,” Darnell says.

Crabtree has left more than just Darnell speechless. He leads the country in receptions per game (11.7) and receiving yards per game (179). Speed is only one asset for Crabtree. “He’s physical,” Darnell said, “and far bigger than I thought he was. He has strong hands. He gets jarred around and still hangs onto the ball.”

The entire Texas Tech offense poses a problem for Texas A&M, who needed a 17-point comeback, matching the largest in school history, to beat Oklahoma State. Red Raiders’ QB Graham Harrell averages 454.3 passing yards, a major reason why they average 52.5 points.

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Texas Tech right now, however, is the defense. It has allowed only 202.5 in the last two games, but Texas A&M’s ground game will be a true test of just how far the Red Raiders’ defense has come. The Aggies average 248.2 rushing yards and will challenge a Texas Tech rushing D that ranks 10th in the Big 12.

The task for Texas A&M is to show it can win in Lubbock. It’s been a long time since the Aggies left there with the outcome in their favor. The last time Texas A&M prevailed at Texas Tech occurred in 1993.

“It’s always a fun game every year,” Red Raiders’ coach Mike Leach said. “It’s one that fans from both schools look forward to, and it’s exciting to go out and play.”

BOTTOM LINE: Texas A&M’s got two words for you — ball control. That’s what it will take to upend the Red Raiders, who can be hard to stop once that offense gets in a groove. The Aggies have to prove they’re a better road team than they were at Miami, Fla., and until that happens, their credibility in a scenario like this will be in question.

Texas Tech by 18