Offensive linemen unheralded heroes for Texas Tech

Nov 10, 2008 - 5:55 PM By Jim Ralabate PA SportsTicker College Football Editor

Mike Leach gets all the credit. Graham Harrell gets all the media coverage. Michael Crabtree gets all the attention from NFL scouts.

But if Texas Tech survives a treacherous Big 12 schedule and reaches the BCS championship game, it will be because of an underrated offensive line that has been the driving force behind one of college football's most explosive attacks.

In previous seasons, the Red Raiders put up eye-popping offensive numbers but struggled in big games against big-time opponents.

One of Texas Tech's biggest problems had been protecting Harrell, the record-setting quarterback who was sacked nine times in the Red Raiders' four losses last season.

This year, Texas Tech is 10-0 - one of two remaining unbeaten teams from a BCS conference - and currently is ranked second in the BCS standings.

So what has been the difference?

Harrell is still a prolific passer, Crabtree is still the best receiver in college football, and Leach is still one of the most innovative coaches in the country. None of those factors have changed from last year.

Aside from a defense that clearly has improved by leaps and bounds, the biggest change from last year has been the play of tackles Rylan Reed and Marlon Winn, guards Louis Vasquez and Brandon Carter and center Stephen Hamby.

"I feel very comfortable," Harrell said following Saturday's 56-20 thrashing of Oklahoma State. "I always feel comfortable behind those guys. They're the heart of this team, and that's the truth. Those guys are unbelievable."

The Red Raiders' front five is led by the 6-7 Reed, a converted tight end who stymied Virginia's Chris Long in the Gator Bowl last season and has been instrumental in guarding Harrell's blind side this year.

The 314-pound Reed actually is relatively small on this offensive line, which features Winn (6-6, 325 pounds) Vasquez (6-6, 335) and Carter (6-7, 354). The 6-3, 287-pound Hamby is the runt of the litter.

"Those guys are so big and they pass block well, they run well, and they block well," Harrell said. "To be that size and move and protect like they do, it's just impressive to see."

To say that the offensive line was "impressive" against Oklahoma State would be one of the biggest understatements of the season.

Harrell, operating virtually untouched in the pocket, threw for 456 yards, tied a career high with six touchdowns and was not sacked for the seventh time this year.

And this wasn't against Southern Methodist or UTEP. This was against Oklahoma State, a team that had stifled Missouri's Chase Daniel and forced Texas' Colt McCoy into some uncharacteristic mistakes earlier this season.

But it was just another Saturday in the trenches for the Red Raiders, who have allowed just five sacks this season.

That's right - only five sacks, the second-lowest total in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Only Air Force (two sacks) has allowed fewer.

However, the Falcons have attempted just 90 passes in their first 10 games this season. Harrell has let it fly 103 times - in his last two games.

"They have tremendous protection," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. "When you play a team that throws the ball as effective as they do, it is hard to get to the quarterback."

Following a well-deserved bye, Texas Tech's offensive line will face arguably its biggest challenge of the season in two weeks when the Red Raiders travel to Norman to face fifth-ranked Oklahoma.

The Sooners, who will present Texas Tech with its last true regular-season obstacle, have terrorized opposing quarterbacks to the tune of 34 sacks this year - the second-highest total in the FBS.

But considering the way his season has gone so far, Harrell has no reason to fear an opposing pass rush - just as long as he still has the five best bodyguards in college football.