In other Best in Texas news, North Texas continues its climb after holding on to beat Army on the road, Baylor continues to baffle with a loss at home to Arizona State and the top-ranked Aggies get …
Not only has Texas Tech built the best team money can buy in the Big 12, it might be the most comprehensive in school history, capable of more than just hanging half a hundred on you.
These are not Mike Leach’s Red Raiders.
This is different.
Consider the testimony of Kyle Whittingham after a 34-10 humiliation in his own house. Utah had rebuilt its street cred after a rare losing season on the basis of its offensive line, the best Whittingham says he’s had in 20 years, boasting two first-round prospects. Twinned up nicely with the nation’s 10th-ranked defense going in.
Get this: Tech dominated both sides of the ball.
“I never would have believed we’d lose the line of scrimmage,” Whittingham said after they ran for just 101 yards and gave up 484 yards total offense. “Never would have believed that in a million years.
“But we did.”
This is what happens when you spend $25 million on your roster and coach it up. Imagine what it might have been if the Raiders hadn’t been flagged 14 times for 122 yards.
And to think they did most of their damage with their backup quarterback, Will Hammond, who threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the second half after Behren Morton was injured.
Tech has never won a Big 12 title and hasn’t finished in the rankings since Leach’s last year in 2009, but the Raiders put themselves in the pole position with their win over the Utes.
They’ve also creeped ahead of Texas in the Best in Texas rankings despite the Longhorns’ stampede over Sam Houston. Arch Manning looked like his old self in a 55-0 win. Question remains, can he look the same when picking on someone his own size?
In other Best in Texas news, North Texas continues its climb after holding on to beat Army on the road, Baylor continues to baffle with a loss at home to Arizona State and the top-ranked Aggies get ready to start SEC play.
1. Texas A&M (3-0)
Notre Dame helps Aggies’ metrics with big bounceback win over Purdue.
Last: idle.
Next: Auburn on Saturday.
2. Texas Tech (4-0)
Big win over Utah, but another big hit on Behren Morton.
Last: 34-10 win over Utah.
Next: at Houston on Oct. 4.
3. Texas (3-1)
Dissatisfied with dismantling Sam Houston, Arch Manning pulls down Big Sam’s statue outside Huntsville.
Last: 55-0 win over Sam Houston.
Next: at Florida on Oct. 4.
4. TCU (3-0)
Frogs win final Iron Skillet game, return trophy to Ace True Value Hardware store for refund.
Last: 35-24 win over SMU.
Next: at Arizona State on Friday.
5. Houston (3-0)
Coogs get another week to enjoy lofty ranking until Texas Tech comes to H-town on Oct. 4. Last: idle. Next: Oregon State on Friday.
6. Baylor (2-2)
Good news: The coach who will occupy the other sideline is on a hotter seat than Dave Aranda’s.
Last: 27-24 loss to Arizona State.
Next: Oklahoma State on Saturday.
7. North Texas (4-0)
Mean Green going for first 5-0 start since Hayden Fry coached them.
Last: 45-38 OT win over Army.
Next: South Alabama on Saturday.
8. SMU (2-2)
If Kevin Jennings overcomes the Mustangs’ defense, he deserves the Heisman.
Last: 35-24 loss to TCU.
Next: Syracuse on Oct. 4.
9. Texas State (3-1)
The school formerly known as Southwest Texas State wins Battle of the Paddle over the school formerly known as Nicholls State.
Last: 35-3 win over Nicholls.
Next: at Arkansas State on Oct. 4.
10. UTSA (2-2)
Robert Henry Jr. keeps rolling, runs up 144 yards in a squeaker.
Last: 17-16 win over Colorado State.
Next: at Temple on Oct. 4.
11. Rice (3-1)
Good news: Scott Abell becomes first Owls coach since Bo Hagan to start his debut season 3-1. Bad news: Bo finished the 1967 season 4-6.
Last: 28-17 win at Charlotte.
Next: at Navy on Saturday.
12. UTEP (1-3)
Holding Texas to 27 points may prove to be season highlight.
Last: 31-25 loss to Louisiana-Monroe.
Next: Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
13. Sam Houston (0-4)
Bearkats restore Texas fans’ faith in Arch for at least a week.
Last: 55-0 loss to Texas.
Next: at New Mexico State on Oct. 2.
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Source: Utah News