The short answer is yes and here is why.
A quick overview. Last year I said Tech was a 9 win team. Well they won 7 so I missed it by 2. I believe with Amaro and Bell, they beat Texas and Baylor for their 8th and 9th win. Was I wrong? Yes, but injuries are the ultimate equalizer.
So this year. I'll break it down game by game. This is a quick and dirty blog, so if you want my in depth thoughts you can contact me.
@SMU--This is an interesting game. SMU will test Techs new secondary that has 4 new starters. SMU has a proven QB and a highly recruited RB that transferred from UT. Should prove to be a good test for Kliff and Company to start the year.
SFA-- Not a good team. The Red Raiders should be able to find their grove early
TCU-- Possibly the best team in the BIG 12. They are loaded on Defense and have the pre season All Big 12 Qb (coming off of rehab). Really good team that has lost some players in the pre-season
Texas State-- Well coached team that is improving. May have a true freshman QB
Bye
@Kansas---I think a lot of people will sleep on KU. They loaded up on JUCO players and have a really good running game. The new QB should be solid, and they gave Tech a game in Lubbock last year.
Iowa State-- One of the best coached teams in the Big 12. Lost two studs in the middle of their defense and need to answer the QB question again. Solid team and plays Tech very well.
@West Virginia--- I know we killed them last year, but this is a completely different team. With the addition of Sims at RB and having Dana as head coach, they will be able to score. They also lost 3 very good offensive athletes. The defense is the question mark. Who knows how well the home field will help them
@ Oklahoma--- Very little depth on the DLINE. New Qb who is unproven, but they always have talent and talent + depth = danger
OK State--- very solid team that has had its way with Tech the past few years. Very well coached and a very good DLine. Picked to win the Big 12
Kansas State---Lots of losses on defense, and a great QB, but have possibly the best coach in the history of college football. They always come to play and are a very sound team
Baylor--- Every year they gather more and more talent. Very well coached and have possibly the best RB in the nation. Breaking in a new QB shouldn't be a concern and the defense played a lot better at the end of the year.
Bye
@Texas-- They are Texas and it's in Austin. Talent galore, but under coached. The most experienced QB in the Big 12 and a stable or RB's. The defense has the potential to be nasty. Again, they have an abundance of depth and talent and that is dangerous..
So how does Tech do.
This season in my opinion comes down to a few things. 1. Can the O line gel and stay healthy? 2. Can Kliff and company get the most out of the players they have and 3. Can Tech's Defense adjust to another Defensive Coordinator change and improve on last years surprisingly good defense?
If the O line stays healthy, Tech in my opinion has the best skill position players in the Big 12 (and possibly the nation). Very hard to game plan against 4 quality and proven RB's, a proven WR in Eric Ward and the huge mismatch of Amaro and Grant. Amaro is the key. There isn't anyone in the nation that has a talent like this kid. I think Brewer will be very good. He is a proven winner and a gamer.
The defense front 7 is very solid and I believe the secondary is more athletic than last year even with the loss of Davis and Johnson. Does that mean the secondary will be better? Who knows, but they will be more athletic.
Special teams will be improved. All year I questioned why Grant wasn't returning kicks. If someone steps up to return punts, special teams will be a strength of this team. Also on special teams, you get to see the grit of West Texans in players like Summit Hogue who will sacrifice anything to make the team better........
My prediction....
I honestly can make a case for Tech to win every game, but that is not realistic....
SMU--Win but close
SFA--Murder
TCU--In Lubbock and a rowdy crowd, Tech beats TCU handedly...The defense gets to Pachall and the offense does what it will do all year..
Texas State---they are not ready to face a Big 12 team yet, they will get better but not in time to beat Tech
Kansas---Will be a close game, but if Tech stops the run, KU defense is in for a long day
Iowa State---This will be a big test for Tech. Paul Rhoades is a quality coach. In Lubbock, Tech wins a close game
West Virginia---They may re-load on offense, but their defense in awful. Tech wins a good game on the road.
OU-- It's very hard to win in Norman. I know a less talented Tech team did it two years ago, but after a long trip to WV, I see OU beating Tech in a good game
OSU---They have beaten Tech really badly the past few years. A very sound team and well coached but they must replace a great RB. The bad thing about playing OSU is how bad they have beaten Tech lately. This year is different, OSU wins a competitive game in Lubbock.
Kansas State---Bill Snyder is the best....but Tech should have beaten a very good KSU team in Lubbock two years ago, and last year would have been a better game with Amaro, Bell and Porter in the game. Tech wins the game this year
Baylor---There is NO WAY Baylor should have beaten Tech last year....Tech continually shot itself in the foot during that game. Tech proves that the past 2 years were a fluke and beats Baylor in a high scoring affair.
Texas---I think Tech is a better team than UT, but for some reason, Tech has trouble in Austin. I think this is the first game of the year where the New Swag Factor plays a part in the outcome. Tech goes into Austin with a coach and a team that isn't scared of anything and beats UT, sending Mack Brown into retirement...
So Here it is assuming that Tech is healthy all year..
10 Wins
2 losses
Again, Tech must stay healthy but I don't seem how teams will stop Amaro, Ward, Grant, Williams and Washington plus the defensive front 7 is possibly the strength of this team if they stay health and Anthony Smith proves he can play at a high level..
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