Last Updated on December 17, 2009 9:47 pm by drew
Alamo Bowl
San Antonio,
Doing it without 11 suspended players makes that assignment an even greater challenge for the Spartans.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made
Matching up against a team for the first time in school history often presents problems, and those issues can be multiplied when the opponent is Texas Tech (8-4), regularly one of the nation’s best offensive squads.
This season was no exception as the Red Raiders ranked second in the country in passing yards (4,568) and ninth in scoring (36.7) despite using three quarterbacks.
"Very exciting offense, they bring a lot to the table in that regard,"
Pass defense has been an issue all season for
Slowing down the Red Raiders with a full complement of players was already difficult, but the Spartans will be undermanned in this matchup after Dantonio suspended 11 players for their roles in a dormitory brawl Nov. 22.
Running back Glenn Winston and defensive back Roderick Jenrette were dismissed from the team while starters Chris L. Rucker – the team’s top cover corner – and receivers B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell are among those suspended.
"My heart breaks for those guys," quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "The fact that they’re not there with us for this bowl game – it will hurt. But at the same time, there are other guys who we work with who have not had as much of an opportunity to play who are now going to have that opportunity."
Excluding an easy win over Western Michigan, Michigan State’s defense struggled toward the end of the season, allowing over 1,500 yards to its last three Big Ten opponents.
One constant for
The Big Ten’s top passing offense has helped
Senior Blair White – the team’s top receiver – faded down the stretch with 16 catches in his final four games after he had a season-best 12 in a 24-14 victory over Northwestern on Oct. 17.
After sharing the Big 12 title last season and narrowly missing out on qualifying for the BCS, Texas Tech managed another successful campaign under coach Mike Leach in what figured to be a rebuilding year.
A victory in
"I think the Alamo Bowl is one of the top bowl games in the country and the Red Raiders are happy to be part of this year’s game," Leach said. "We’ve been to 10 straight bowl games and that is something that our program and our fans are extremely proud of."
Strong quarterback play has never been an issue for the Red Raiders under Leach, but injuries this season to Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield forced him to use three signal-callers.
Potts began the season in the No. 1 role and has won five of nine starts. He looked particularly strong late in the season, completing 66 of 102 passes for 657 yards with four touchdowns in the final two games – wins over
Potts has a multitude of targets at his disposal as the Red Raiders had nine players with at least 20 receptions. Freshman Alexander Torres led the team with 65 catches and 791 yards, and was second with six touchdowns.
Baron Batch is the top threat out of the backfield, leading Texas Tech with 784 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns – 12 on the ground.
While the Red Raiders’ offense garners most of the notoriety, the defense exceeded expectations. Led by senior end Brandon Sharpe, who recorded a school-record 15 sacks to rank second nationally, Texas Tech allowed a respectable 348.8 yards and 21.8 points per game.
Texas Tech is 0-2 in the Alamo Bowl, losing to
The Spartans have lost three straight postseason games since beating
2010
Teams:
Kickoff: Jan. 2, 2010 at 9PM ET
Venue: Alamodome
TV: ESPN
Odds:
Posted: 12/17/09 9:47PM ET