In this week's edition of the Roundtable, we answer this question:
Which is more likely: Tech has three receivers with over 600 yards receiving or two running backs with 600 yards rushing?
Level: I'm tempted to go with the receivers but I really like the running back answer here. You know DeAndre Washington is Tech's guy in the backfield and he's going to get his yards assuming he stays healthy. The question is, can Justin Stockton eclipse is total of around 400 yards last season. Stockton has bulked up some which means he'll be able to run in between the tackles some and not just be used as a change of pace back. I really like his chances at running for over 600 yards so I'm going with the rb's here because I think we'd all agree that DeAndre will push for a thousand-plus again.
Dickens: Texas Tech will have three receivers with at least 600 yards receiving in 2015. It almost happened last year -- Devin Lauderdale was just 11 yards short -- and that was with an inexperienced receiving corps and an inconsistent situation at quarterback. I expect both groups to be better and more productive this fall, so I would be stunned if the Red Raiders didn't have three pass catchers surpass the 600-yard mark.
McKay: Well, you all may want to put me in a padded room with no windows after this. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the offense does both. Yes, BOTH. Devin Lauderdale came only 11 yards short of helping Tech have three 600 yard pass catchers last fall, and I fully expect Ian Sadler to make a big jump this fall into a prominent role. Mahomes or Webb will be able to spread the ball around with what I believe will be a much improved group of starting receivers.
At running back, DeAndre Washington is going to get his, plain and simple, as he doesn't plan on rushing for fewer than his 1100 mark last fall. But, a beefed up Justin Stockton will get his share of carries, too. As a result, Washington's yards will go down, but Stockton will make up for it in a big way, creating a one-two starting backfield that's similar to that of the 2008 duo of Woods and Batch. Overall, I think this offense will be by far the most balanced between run-pass under Coach Kingsbury so far, and I'm optimistic that they could spark off a whole lot of fireworks this fall.
If you make me pick one or the other, however, I'll go with the two running backs having 600 yards.
Clare: Can this offense achieve both? We watched what a healthy and experienced DeAndre Washington could do in this offense last season, plus Justin Stockton is reportedly adding weight and will have more experience going into this season. That doesn't even account for Felton or White possibly stepping in and stringing together 3-4 very productive games. I believe having two running backs with at least 600 yards rushing is not only very likely, but would argue that it might be essential for the offense to have balance and success in the passing game.
Now, three receivers with at least 600 yards receiving? Will tells me that it almost happened last year and based on the perceived lack of production from that position in 2014, I believe a group with more experience and stability at the quarterback position can easily achieve this mark. Maybe my outlook is a little too positive, but I expect to see vast improvements from the offense this season in year three under Coach Kliff Kingsbury
Kohnle: With Pat Mahomes running the show at QB and the Tech receiving corps hoping for a bounce-back year, it seems like a pretty safe bet that three receivers could surpass the 600 yard receiving barrier this fall. Senior Jakeem Grant has posted back-to-back seasons of well over 600 yards, Devin Lauderdale just missed the 600-yard mark last year, and Ian Sadler could rack up yards in the slot as he tries to capitalize on a 336-yard freshman campaign. Heck, I wouldn’t even count out Reginald Davis as a potential candidate, as he posted 318 yards last year and received good reviews all spring. Yes, running back and offensive line are a strength for this team, and most are hopeful that Kingsbury will learn to lean on his stable of RBs led by DeAndre Washington and Justin Stockton, but stability at quarterback (hopefully), the return of some quality receivers (albeit not gamebreakers just yet), and a decade long history of airing-it-out makes three 600 yard receivers this year much more likely than two 600 yard RBs.
Which is more likely: Tech has three receivers with over 600 yards receiving or two running backs with 600 yards rushing?
Level: I'm tempted to go with the receivers but I really like the running back answer here. You know DeAndre Washington is Tech's guy in the backfield and he's going to get his yards assuming he stays healthy. The question is, can Justin Stockton eclipse is total of around 400 yards last season. Stockton has bulked up some which means he'll be able to run in between the tackles some and not just be used as a change of pace back. I really like his chances at running for over 600 yards so I'm going with the rb's here because I think we'd all agree that DeAndre will push for a thousand-plus again.
Dickens: Texas Tech will have three receivers with at least 600 yards receiving in 2015. It almost happened last year -- Devin Lauderdale was just 11 yards short -- and that was with an inexperienced receiving corps and an inconsistent situation at quarterback. I expect both groups to be better and more productive this fall, so I would be stunned if the Red Raiders didn't have three pass catchers surpass the 600-yard mark.
McKay: Well, you all may want to put me in a padded room with no windows after this. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the offense does both. Yes, BOTH. Devin Lauderdale came only 11 yards short of helping Tech have three 600 yard pass catchers last fall, and I fully expect Ian Sadler to make a big jump this fall into a prominent role. Mahomes or Webb will be able to spread the ball around with what I believe will be a much improved group of starting receivers.
At running back, DeAndre Washington is going to get his, plain and simple, as he doesn't plan on rushing for fewer than his 1100 mark last fall. But, a beefed up Justin Stockton will get his share of carries, too. As a result, Washington's yards will go down, but Stockton will make up for it in a big way, creating a one-two starting backfield that's similar to that of the 2008 duo of Woods and Batch. Overall, I think this offense will be by far the most balanced between run-pass under Coach Kingsbury so far, and I'm optimistic that they could spark off a whole lot of fireworks this fall.
If you make me pick one or the other, however, I'll go with the two running backs having 600 yards.
Clare: Can this offense achieve both? We watched what a healthy and experienced DeAndre Washington could do in this offense last season, plus Justin Stockton is reportedly adding weight and will have more experience going into this season. That doesn't even account for Felton or White possibly stepping in and stringing together 3-4 very productive games. I believe having two running backs with at least 600 yards rushing is not only very likely, but would argue that it might be essential for the offense to have balance and success in the passing game.
Now, three receivers with at least 600 yards receiving? Will tells me that it almost happened last year and based on the perceived lack of production from that position in 2014, I believe a group with more experience and stability at the quarterback position can easily achieve this mark. Maybe my outlook is a little too positive, but I expect to see vast improvements from the offense this season in year three under Coach Kliff Kingsbury
Kohnle: With Pat Mahomes running the show at QB and the Tech receiving corps hoping for a bounce-back year, it seems like a pretty safe bet that three receivers could surpass the 600 yard receiving barrier this fall. Senior Jakeem Grant has posted back-to-back seasons of well over 600 yards, Devin Lauderdale just missed the 600-yard mark last year, and Ian Sadler could rack up yards in the slot as he tries to capitalize on a 336-yard freshman campaign. Heck, I wouldn’t even count out Reginald Davis as a potential candidate, as he posted 318 yards last year and received good reviews all spring. Yes, running back and offensive line are a strength for this team, and most are hopeful that Kingsbury will learn to lean on his stable of RBs led by DeAndre Washington and Justin Stockton, but stability at quarterback (hopefully), the return of some quality receivers (albeit not gamebreakers just yet), and a decade long history of airing-it-out makes three 600 yard receivers this year much more likely than two 600 yard RBs.
