Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech - Biased Analysis

As I make my every other year trip up to Lubbock this year, lots of questions surround both the Red Raider and Aggie football squads. The past decade (and you could argue longer) hasn't been particularly kind to the Aggies when they step into the flatlands of Lubbock.

Every year, and it seems more so each year thereafter, the 'rival' discussion is thrown around by Tech and Aggie faithful. Tech fans don't understand why many Aggies don't believe Tech is a rival of theirs. The perceived notion is that Aggies are arrogant cult members, some of the sheep fancy. A&M fans perceive Tech to be below them, classless pests neglected like a red-headed stepchild.

My belief, while biased to one side, is that the yearly football game played between both teams make up what a rivalry is all about. It is a rivalry, no question about it. One caveat though...this game will never be as strong as the rivalry between A&M and the University of Texas.

So what do I (corporate peasant, part-time musician) think of this years matchup?

For Tech to win, Harrell needs a strong outing. Danny Amendola and Michael Crabtree (of Dallas Carter) need to get their catches against the pourous secondary of A&M. Short passing routes present problems to defenses because they exploit weak tackling. The Tech defensive LB's will have to stop the up the middle running game of Javorskie Lane and Michael Goodson. Keep the ball on the ends, get a couple option based fumbles from the A&M offense and all is well in Lubbock.

For A&M to win, their offense must show up and eat up clock minutes. If the A&M passing game isn't opened up to keep the Tech defense honest, this could spell trouble for the Aggies. The A&M defensive front 5 must get adequate pressure on Graham Harrell and eliminate the big play.

With tomorrow looming and the VIP controversy surrounding Fran (and his job in Aggieland), I find it hard to find light where shadows exist.

Prediction - Texas Tech 41, Texas A&M 27