Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Texas Tech Red Raiders

2010 Record: 8-5 (3-5), Tied for 7th in Big 12

Returning Starters: Offense (5), Defense (8)

Bowl Result: Defeated Northwestern 45-38 in the TicketCity Bowl

Overview: Mike Leach left big shoes to fill when he was dismissed from Texas Tech in 2009 after leading the Red Raiders to bowl eligibility every year since the Big 12’s inception. The Red Raiders are the only Big 12 team that can boast such a streak, and new coach Tommy Tuberville was able to continue that streak in his first season. He led the Red Raiders to a TicketCity Bowl victory over Northwestern despite a move from Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense to a relatively more balanced system, a great deal of youth, and injuries on defense. Defense was the Red Raiders biggest weakness last year, finishing 114th in the country and last in the Big 12 in total defense.

Aiming to improve those statistics will be new defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow, who comes over from TCU after coaching the Horned Frogs’ safeties for the last 10 years. Glasgow has moved the Red Raiders from the 3-4 to a 4-2-5 defense, hoping to have the same success with that scheme that TCU has enjoyed during their rise to national prominence. On offense, Tech will have a number of holes to fill, as their leading passer, rusher and top two wide receivers all graduated. Junior Seth Doege appears to have won the starting quarterback job in the spring, and fellow junior Eric Stephens should lead a number of talented backs as Tuberville hopes to continue to emphasize the run more on offense.

Key Matchup: Texas A&M @ Texas Tech, October 8th: The Red Raiders had A&M’s number for most of the last decade, going 7-1 against the Aggies from 2001-2008. However in the last two seasons A&M has reversed the trend, beating the Red Raiders consecutively for the first time since the Big 12 was formed. This year’s matchup comes after a very manageable non-conference schedule and the Red Raiders’ Big 12 opener against Kansas. Raider fans should be fired up for this rivalry game, and Tech will hope their homefield advantage can produce a top ten victory much like the thrilling last minute victory they pulled out against number 1 ranked Oklahoma in 2008. 

Impact Newcomer: Terrance Bullitt, S: Bullit certainly has the family pedigree to be successful. His brother is former Texas A&M and current Indianapolis Colts safety Melvin Bullit. He only saw limited playing time last year, but the 6-3, 191 pound sophomore will be starting at the strong safety/nickelback spot in the Red Raiders’ new 4-2-5 defense. It will be a key position in Glasgow’s defense as Bullit will be charged with providing a great deal of the run support behind the two linebackers. He will also be relied upon to use his height and speed to help improve the Red Raiders’ pass defense.

Coach’s Quotes: “I’m a true believer that [the key to] coaching defense is being enthusiastic, and letting that enthusiasm bleed over to your players. I think that’s a prerequisite. X’s and O’s are way overrated. It’s about getting guys to play hard for 60 minutes.” - Head Coach Tommy Tuberville

Michigan Wolverines

2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5), Tied for 7th in the Big Ten

Returning Starters:  Offense (9), Defense (8)

Bowl Result: Lost to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl 52-14

Overview: Rich Rodriguez’s tumultuous term at Michigan came to an end in the offseason and Brady Hoke was hired after leading San Diego State to a 9-4 record and a Poinsettia Bowl win over Navy. Hoke, who coached at Michigan from 1995-2002, will aim to turn the historically dominant program back into the powerhouse it has been throughout college football history. Hoke spent most of the spring installing a more balanced offense that won’t rely as much on star quarterback Denard Robinson to carry the load. Robinson was one of the most productive and exciting players in college football last year, but also battled injuries and turnovers partially due to the amount of times he was forced to make plays in Rodriguez’s spread option offense. Even so, the Wolverine’s offense averaged 488 yards per game, good enough for 8th in the country.

In order for Hoke to improve on last year’s 7-6 record, he will need to start on the defensive side of the ball. The Wolverine’s defense gave up 450 yards per game, which put them last in the Big Ten and 110th in the country in total defense. Hoke brought in former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattiston to make the switch from a 3-3-5 to a more traditional 4-3. The four starting defensive linemen bring a wealth of experience (two juniors and two seniors) and should be the strong point of the Mattison’s defense.

Key Matchup: Michigan @ Michigan State, October 15th: Michigan’s in-state rivalry game will once again be an important one this season. Following a non-conference schedule that is highlighted by a visit from Notre Dame in Week 2, the Wolverines will face two teams who finished below them in the Big Ten last year in Northwestern and Minnesota. If they can navigate that successfully, Michigan could be 5-1 or 6-0 heading into a matchup against a Michigan State team that tied for 1st place in the Big Ten last year and returns virtually all of their offensive playmakers. This rivalry is always heated, but Spartans have had the better of the Wolverines in recent years. A victory here would end Michigan’s three game losing streak to their in-state rivals and allow them to go into their bye week on a positive note.

Impact Newcomer: Cam Gordon, LB: He’s not exactly a newcomer in terms of playing time, but Gordon will be new to the linebacker position after spending last season in the defensive backfield. The 6’3”, 207 pound sophomore has played a number of positions for the Wolverines, starting his career at receiver before making the switch to defense last year. He will now have the chance to use his speed to help improve a defense that struggled last year both with points and yards allowed.

Coach’s Quotes: “All his [Hoke’s] guys at San Diego State would give him crap because he wouldn’t wear red. He wore a black shirt on game day. His red never came out because he still had the Michigan roots and you never wear red because that’s Ohio’s color. For him to maintain that passion and that fire, even when he wasn’t associated with the program or playing against us or anything, that means a lot.” - Michigan defensive end Ryan Van Bergen