1.  Healthy WRs

Remember Anthony Jenkins, Catron Houston, Chris Cunigan and L.A. Reed the receiver? In a perfect world, they’d be rounding out a deep, veteran cast of pass catchers.  College football being what it is, though, three flamed out and one moved to defense.

That leaves Tech having to count on mostly  freshmen and sophomores as backups, before they’re ready to shine. It’s vital that Crabtree, Morris and company don’t miss any extended time.

 

2.  They all count

Who doesn’t get jazzed for Big 12 South games against UT, OU, Texas A&M and even Oklahoma State? But it was the North that really ruined Tech’s 2006 and 2007 seasons. Colorado and Missouri swept Tech two years straight with the Raiders favored to win three of the four games.

 
Those two rotated off. This year? Kansas, after an Orange Bowl win, will have Tech’s respect. The Raiders better pay attention to Kansas State and Nebraska, too.

 

3.  Build a better pass rush

Tech ranked 90th in third-down defense last season, allowing a 43-percent conversion rate. Improving the pass rush might be the quickest remedy. Ra’Jon Henley’s strong finish against OU and Virginia could set the stage for a big junior year, Brandon Williams ought to trend upward from sack totals of 3.5 and 6, and Colby Whitlock showed signs of being special.

 

Can Brandon Sesay and McKinner Dixon match their hype? Can Jake Ratliff
rebound? They could improve the rush from adequate to outstanding.

 

4.  Clutch kicks

Alex Trlica (career field-goal percentage: 65.8) didn’t make them all. His legacy, though, was making the must-have kicks late in games — against UTEP and Minnesota in 2006 and at the Gator Bowl last season.

 

This year, the Raiders have to find someone else to convert those field goals at key moments. That might be the team’s biggest unknown. The new kicker will make a name for himself. The Raiders need it to be in a good way.

 

5.  Keep it clean
Policing dangerous and unsportsmanlike play is a point of emphasis with new NCAA rules changes: All facemask penalties 15 yards. No horse-collar tackles. A tougher chop block rule. No sideline warning, flag for first offense. Less tolerance for taunting.
Tech’s been one of the most penalized teams in college football under Mike Leach. Now that there could be more 15-yard penalties for everyone, the Raiders really have to walk a fine line.