FOR HAPPYCAMPER'S EYES ONLY >>> And my son who is a Ute like Malcolm has a great bet with me as they take on my other Tech today ... go Raiders ... Go Wrecks ...
Although No. 18 Texas Tech and 13th-ranked Alabama both finished 9-2 in the regular season, each achieved their record with very different styles.
Perhaps no postseason matchup offers a greater contrast in opponents than the Jan. 2 Cotton Bowl which pits the high-scoring Red Raiders against the Crimson Tide and their defense-first philosophy.
Texas Tech relies on an explosive offense that averages 511 yards per game, second only to No. 1 USC, while scoring 42.1 points per game - fourth-best in the nation. The Red Raiders led the nation with 403.6 passing yards per game, nearly 20 yards better than the second-place team.
Alabama owns an outstanding defense that limited opponents to 10.7 points per game, more than a point better than any other team. The Crimson Tide allowed the second-fewest total yards (248.3) in the country and the second-fewest passing yards (154.8).
Cotton Bowl chairman Dan Petty admitted these teams were chosen particularly because of their contrasting styles.
''That was part of it, a big part, because that gives the bowl game a special angle that not many other bowl games have this year,'' he said.
Alabama coach Mike Shula knows preparing for Tech's unique offensive system will be difficult.
''We'll be out there and running their plays, but there's no way we can simulate their efficiency and speed,'' Shula said.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Cody Hodges took over this season and helped Texas Tech win its first six games. After a loss to second-ranked Texas, the Red Raiders improved their record to 8-1 and were a candidate for a BCS berth before losing to Oklahoma State on Nov. 12.
Hodges was second in the country with 4,042 passing yards and fourth with 30 touchdowns. Hawaii's Colt Brennan led the nation with 4,301 yards and 35 TD passes.
This is the sixth straight bowl appearance for the Red Raiders under Mike Leach, the first coach in school history to lead the team to three consecutive bowl victories. Tech is one of seven schools nationally to win bowl games each of the past three years.
Alabama makes its NCAA-record 53rd bowl appearance, its seventh visit to the Cotton Bowl and first since 1982 when Bear Bryant's team lost 14-12 to Texas.
''We have heard a lot about it and while you are growing up you hear a lot about Alabama football and the things that they are good at,'' Red Raiders offensive lineman E.J. Whitley said. ''But we are pretty good here, too, and we have some mystique as well. We are pretty excited and pumped up.''
While containing the Red Raiders ' potent offense will be the top priority for Alabama, it must also resurrect an offense that struggled badly late in the season. The Tide opened this season with nine straight wins and were ranked fourth in the nation before losing their last two games to LSU and Auburn.
Quarterback Brodie Croyle was sacked 11 times in a 28-18 loss to rival Auburn on Nov. 19, finishing 13-of-25 for a season-low 109 yards, most of them coming on a late drive.
''We talked shortly after our last game that even though we're feeling pretty down, we've got a lot to be happy about,'' Shula said.
Croyle, a four-year starter, hopes his final collegiate game has a better result. He is the school's all-time leader in several passing categories, including career yards (6,107), completions (469) and touchdown passes (40).
All-American senior linebacker DeMeco Ryans is the anchor of Alabama's defense. A finalist for three major national defensive player awards, Ryans was named SEC defensive player of the year. He played in all 49 games in his career and led the Tide with 69 tackles this season.
Ryans and his defensive teammates will have their hands full against the Red Raiders , who had seven players with more than 300 yards receiving yards this season. By comparison, Alabama had only three players go over 300 yards.
Four players had more than 60 receptions for Tech - Robert Johnson (64), Jarret Hicks (62), Taurean Henderson (62) and Joel Filani (61). Filani led the team with 981 yards while Hicks had a team-best nine receiving TDs. Henderson led the team with 860 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns.
Alabama will be without cornerback Simeon Castille as it tries to contain Texas Tech's powerful passing attack. The sophomore, who started every game this season and made two interceptions, was ruled academically ineligible under an SEC rule, coach Mike Shula said.
Sophomore Eric Gray and junior Jeffrey Dukes are expected to share time at cornerback in place of Castille.
Alabama's offense revolves mainly around tailback Kenneth Darby , who carried 210 times for 1,161 yards and three touchdowns. Darby had six 100-yard rushing games this season, carrying at least 15 times in all 11 games.
This is the first meeting between these schools.
AI
