We all know Texas Tech loves to throw the ball, so how does this sound for some Graham Harrell numbers. He was 43/58 and threw for 536 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-24 on Saturday night. He connected with eight different receivers but it was our favorite Red Raider Michael Crabtree, who caught the first touchdown pass of the 2008 season in the first quarter. The All-American finished with 73 yards on nine catches, and one TD.

Michael Crabtree didn’t put up those nasty 150+ 3 touchdown type of numbers we’ve seen before, but that’s OK. He got a ton of receptions and got on the scoreboard with a touchdown. Harrell was spreading the ball like a wild fire. He made sure everyone got a piece of his 536 yards. If Texas Tech continues to throw the ball like this all year, Crabtree will put up amazing numbers… you can bank on it.

Don’t ask me what city Eastern Washington University is located in because I don’t know, and I don’t care. All I know is the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Michael Crabtree are going to destroy the Eagles on Saturday. College football is finally here and I’m ready to see Michael explode in his second full season.

Last year on opening day, Crabtree caught 12 balls for 106 yards and 3 touchdowns. I’m looking for similar production from him this week, only maybe 130 yards instead. There’s no doubt that Graham Harrell is going to air it out often and early. Eastern Washington will have a bunch of scrubs in the secondary. They may even have to triple team Crabtree just to slow him down. I expect the Red Raiders to put up a minimum 49 points.

It’s going to be an awesome game and a great atmosphere. It’s a 6:00 game so it won’t be too hot. If you’re as amped as I am posted a comment here and let me know!

Crank that Crabtree baby!!

Michael Crabtree and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are getting ready for their opening game of the 2008 season against Eastern Washington on Saturday, August 30 at 6:00. It feels great to finally say we’re in a game week. It felt like this summer would never end. You know when big things are expected, the offseason can just seem to drag on forever.

Crabtree is looking to build on his 1962 yard 22 touchdown season last year. Trying to type numbers bigger then that on a football player stat sheet is mind boggling.

Coach Mike Leach picked the captains for the Eastern Washington game, but Crabtree is missing from the list. Three of the captains are seniors, so it’s understandable. Michael will get his fair share as the season progresses. Check back later in the week as I’ll be bringing you a preview of this week’s game and my stat predictions for Michael Crabtree.

The AP Preseason Poll came out over the weekend, Texas Tech got ranked the #12 best team in the country, compared to #14 in the USA Today Poll. Not bad for a 9-4 team last season.

Part of their high ranking is due to the development of Michael Crabtree and now if has 1 more year of experience under his belt. The Red Raiders are also returning their starting quarterback, Graham Harrell.

Looking at their schedule, Texas Tech has a realistic shot at being undefeated until they play Kansas in late October. Of course they end the season with a couple of tough games vs Texas and at Oklahoma. If they can split those two games, this could be a great season for Crabtree and the Red Raiders.

When Michael Crabtree arrived at Texas Tech in 2006, he was an eager freshman looking to make an instant impact on the field. However, he had never played wide receiver and wasn’t quite as polished as some of the other players on the team. But no one could deny his raw talent and ability to make plays. So Texas Tech coaches decided to redshirt him his freshman year.

“It was disappointing to sit out that first season, but I was learning to be patient,” Crabtree said. “And I was learning stuff all the time. That first game was so important to me because I had been waiting for it so long. Now, it’s like every time I get on the field, I try to build on it.”

Last year Crabtree busted on the scene and had some huge games right away. He came out firing.

One thing that’s bad about the redshirt is that Texas Tech fans now only have 1 more season to enjoy him. 2008 will be his last year as a Red Raider, you can count on it. Even though he has plenty of eligibility, Michael Crabtree will be ready for the NFL and the millions of dollars that comes with it. You just can’t risk injury when there is guaranteed money on the table.

Michael Crabtree is on a mission in 2008. Despite all the records he broke last year as a freshman at Texas Tech, he thinks he can improve. “I can do the same thing, if not better during this season,” Crabtree said. “I still don’t feel that 134 catches was the best I can do. I think I still have a lot to prove to people.”

What more could he possibly prove? He’s already the best wide receiver in college football having scored 22 touchdowns on 134 receptions, 1,962 yards. Maybe he’s going to go for 30 touchdowns?

“There was no surprise in what I did,” said Crabtree, a converted high school quarterback who had never played wide receiver until arriving at college. “It was just a lot of hard work. We went though some things to get ready, but it was a good, strong year for us. And I’m expecting even more this season.”

I just hope Graham Harrell is up for the task!

The Texas Tech Red Raiders just finished up their first practice of the fall yesterday afternoon. Some interesting news came out of it. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree spent some time working on returning kicks and punts. “We messed with it a little last year, too. I think he’ll be good at it and have for a while,” Coach Leach said. “I think he’d have a chance to be good at either one, maybe better at punt.”

Crabtree said he’s looking forward to being involved in special teams. I’m not sure if I believe him. While getting on the field more will increase a player’s exposure, Crabtree isn’t exactly the type of player lacking national attention. He’s a Heisman candidate going into 2008 and is the best WR in college football. I don’t know if I’d risk injury by putting him on the field for punts and kick offs. Remember what happened to Ted Ginn Jr. in the National Championship game?

Big Time WRs shouldn’t play special teams in my opinion.