In a knockoff of the Presidential Campaign going on right now, Texas Tech has launched a new web titled: Pass or Catch 2008. It has a picture of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree in suits and looks like a candidates website. It’s supposed to be their official bids for the 2008 Heisman. They’ve even got a “secret service” section.

Check it out at: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/athletics/passorcatch2008/

No. 10 Texas Tech is off this weekend, so I’m not going to have much to write about. They’ll play their first conference game next week against Kansas.

So far through 4 games, Michael Crabtree has 29 receptions for 457 yards and 6 scores. Those are great numbers for a receiver. I’m not sure if they’re Heisman-worthy, but they will definitely keep him on the national radar and assure he’s a 1st round selection in the NFL Draft.

Texas Tech has 8 more regular season games. If we project his stats out for the remainder of the year, they will look something like 87 receptions for 1371 yards and 18 touchdowns. I’d really like to see Crabtree get the yardage up if he wants to win a Heisman. But that’s months away, so we don’t need to worry about it right now. As long as the Red Raiders keep winning, everything will fall into place.

Doublenation.com posted the top 5 reasons why Texas Tech will win the Big 12 South. Reason number 5 is our very own Michael Crabtree. Check it out:

Reason #5: Mr. Crabtree

Michael Crabtree (29 catches, 457 yards and 6 TD’s) is still the unquestioned playmaker on offense and despite not having quite the burst onto the scene as he did last year in no way diminishes what he brings to this team. There is not a player in the Big 12 that has Mr. Crabtree’s combination of size, speed and ability to turn a short pass into a game-breaking spectacular play. Defenses will have to game plan around Crabtree, which is part of the reason why the receivers mentioned above are having so much success. His presence allows for other players to step up and make plays. I’m not sure that Mr. Crabtree has the type of season that he had last year, but make no mistake that his presence is helping this offense be that much more efficient. Crabtree will get his in conference play, I’m fairly confident of that. Teams can’t cover him and everyone else. He’s just too special not to make a difference.

What’s your take?

UMass had no way to stop Texas Tech’s high powered offense. Michael Crabtree and the Red Raiders destroyed the Minutemen 56-14. Harrell had all day to throw and was spreading the ball to all his weapons. Crabtree ended the game with 5 receptions, 62 yards and a score.

Harrell hit Crabtree and Morris on touchdowns, giving Tech a 42-7 halftime lead. I had predicted a much bigger statistical performance from Crabtree but in a blowout like this, Leach wanted to get more players involved and didn’t need to rely on Crabtree carrying the load.

For those of you who missed the game, I’ve got a video that a fan shot of Crabtree’s score just before halftime. It’s a quick slant route over the middle of the field. No way to stop it.

The Dallas Morning News had an article yesterday stating:

This is Texas Tech’s final nonconference game before opening Big 12 play at Kansas State on Oct. 4. Graham Harrell and his potent receiving corps are trying to find their way out of Mike Leach’s doghouse. Leach unloaded on his quarterback and receivers for poor passing and dropped balls after a 43-7 win over SMU last week.

It’s hard to imagine a coach getting on a team that put up 43 points and a receiver that had eight catches for 164 yards and three touchdowns. But I guess this is just Leach’s way of firing up Michael Crabtree and the rest of the Red Raiders. He’s trying to kick them down before they start thinking they’re hot shit and can beat anyone. A coach never wants his team too confident.

So Texas Tech is hosting UMASS on Saturday at 7:00 EST. There’s no line on the game, which means that it’s going to be a BLOWOUT! Could be 63-3 or something. Crabtree is going to have a monster game that’s for sure. I’m predicting 10 catches for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns.

What do you think?

In a matchup with the SMU Mustangs, Texas Tech’s sophomore wideout, Michael Crabtree, had yet another ridiculous showing as the Red Raiders’ main go-to target downfield. Crabtree had eight catches for 164 yards and three touchdowns. Texas Tech’s 43-7 victory helped propel them two spots into the top ten of the USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

SMU head coach June Jones had this to say about Michael Crabtree: “He’s a big time player, but like I said, I was proud of our defense. He’s going to get that on a lot of people. But we made enough plays on defense; we stopped him, stopped the ball. We did enough things to keep the game interesting, at least.”

So you stopped him, huh? And you’re proud of your defense that gave up touchdowns of 20+ and 40+ yards to Crabtree… all in the first half?

The truth is, no one can stop him. Crabtree is the best WR in the NCAA and is going to shred defenses like it’s nobody’s business.

The #12 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders are hosting the Southern Methodist Mustangs on Saturday 9/13 at 6 p.m. This is a big rivalry game, so expect Harrell and Michael Crabtree to come out gunning. Texas Tech is favored by 36 1/2 points. Vegas isn’t usually wrong so expect a high scoring shoot out.

SMU is coming Texas Tech with their first year head coach June Jones. Remember Jones is the one that said Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is a “system quarterback.” I wonder if he thinks Graham Harrell is a system qb too.

Last week against Nevada, Crabtree put up 158 yards and a score. It was great to see him stretch the field on that 82 yard catch and then the other 50 yarder. I’d look for him to have a repeat performance. Something along the lines of 9 receptions, 160 yards and two touchdowns.

Michael Crabtree help push the Texas Tech Red Raiders over the top of the Nevada Wolfpack in Saturday’s 35-19 victory. Crabtree finished the game strong with 7 receptions, 158 yards (including a long of 82 yards) and 1 touchdown. He double his yardage from week 1. In addition to his 82 yard catch, Crabtree also had a 50 yarder that almost went in for a score, but was stopped just short of the goal on the 1 yard line.

Texas Tech has one of the most high powered offenses in the NCAA. However, they started the game off slow and were only up by 5 points heading into the half. “We just had a miscommunication earlier,” Harrell said. “It just seemed like we were a little off all night. We missed some opportunities and it was frustrating. But we knew we could get it if we tried again.”

It’s great to see Crabtree return to his 2007 form. Even though he had a ton of catches last week, we missed those big play catches. We saw two plays of 50+ yards against Nevada, and that’s what we’re used to.

Michael Crabtree and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are traveling to Reno, Nevada for a matchup against the Wolfpck at 8:05 p.m. CT. The Wolfpack put up 620+ yards of offense last week, which proves they can move the ball up and down the field. Texas Tech shouldn’t have any problem beating them though. The Red Raiders have a much stronger defense and one of the best offenses in the country.

Crabtree did have 9 receptions last week, but only managed to get 73 yards from them. It’s time to let Crabtree stretch the field. If he has 9 catches again this week, it needs to be for 150 yards. Michael has said over and over that he’s not concerned with his individual stats this year. He wants the team to do well. With that said, we as fans, however, do want to see him put up crazy stats. It makes him exciting!

I predict Texas Tech will roll Nevada 49-23. Michael Crabtree will have 8 receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

What do you think?

Michael Crabtree caught a touchdown pass from Graham Harrell at the end of the first quarter last week. I didn’t realize that the touchdown marked the 23rd of his career and he is now tied with Joel Filani for second place on the all-time TD receptions list at Tech.

That’s insane to think about considering this is only his 2nd year! I expect Crabtree will break the record this week against Nevada.

Check back tomorrow for my complete pre-game analysis including my stat predictions.