With only 2 games left on the regular season schedule, Michael Crabtree is still 4 receiving touchdowns shy of his record 22 touchdowns last year. If he wants to break it in 2008, he’ll need to score 5 more touchdowns against Oklahoma and Baylor.

Both of those opponents are tough, but I think Crabtree can manage 2 touchdowns against Oklahoma, and 3 against Baylor. Stats aren’t all that important to him, but as fans, it’s one thing we love. Fans are obsessed with stats and always wanting to see their favorite player outperform someone else (or in this case, himself).

So what do you thin? With 2 games left, can Crabtree do it?

Before the season started, Michael Crabtree was on a lot of potential Heisman lists. Since his stats weren’t as hot as last year, he kind of dropped off the radar this year.

However, that amazing performance he had against former No. 1 Texas (10 receptions, 127 yards and a game winning touchdown) has propelled him back into the discussion. ESPN has him ranked #4 on their Heisman Watch.

Here’s what they had to say:

4. Michael Crabtree — I have Michael Crabtree at No. 4 even though his numbers are slightly down from last year. If you can live with calling it a down season while he’s on pace to catch 93 passes for more than 1,200 yards and 20 TDs despite being the No. 1 focus of rival defenses every week. Simply put, Crabtree is better at what he does than any other player in college football. He carves up defenses, snatches passes away from defenders in traffic and runs through would-be tacklers like he’s a tailback. The only downside is his QB is drawing a lot of the hype since Tech’s attack is just so diversified.

It’ll be tough for him to win it because Graham Harrell is also on the list, and in fact he is No. 1 on ESPN’s Heisman rankings. But there is still hope!

Michael Crabtree and the Texas Tech Red Raiders didn’t face Kansas State last year. That makes it difficult for us to judge what he’s going to do. Kansas State isn’t a bad team. They’re 3-1, yet unranked.

Texas Tech is coming off a bye week and Crabtree is coming off a game where he only put up 60+ yards. I’m predicting the Red Raiders to continue their dominance in the Big 12 and make a push to move up the rankings. There are four Big 12 teams in the top 10 and all have decent matchups this week. There’s a chance someone could get knocked off.

Crabtree needs to blow up this week, especially after he was only marginal in the last game. I want to see a 8 catch game with 170 yards and 3 touchdowns. That’s the Crabtree we enjoy seeing and that’s the Crabtree we love. Speaking of loving Michael Crabtree… someone at the Bleacher Report posted a Five Reasons to Love Michael Crabtree. Make sure you check it out before tomorrow’s 3:30 PM EST kickoff.

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?

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.

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.

“Crank that Crabtree” is a spoof on Soulja Boy’s “Crank That” remade by Lubbock, Texas rapper, RyZe. It is widely popular among Texas Tech fans and college football fans in general. It’s become somewhat of a YouTube sensation. You can view more info about Crank That Crabtree on their official website. Apparently they have a new video, but I couldn’t find it on youtube, so if anyone has a link please drop a comment and let me know. Otherwise, watch Michael Crabtree in action.