The Battle for John Denver's Soul

#16 Texas Tech vs. West Virginia - 10/19/13

LUBBOCK, TEXAS-

The Mountaineers

It took a second half rally from a double digit deficit and a last minute touchdown but maybe Kingsbury and the Red Raiders are starting to make some noise.

Their perception nationally, at least, is reflective of what they have accomplished thus far. Ranked No. 10 in the BCS and No. 9 in the coaches poll Texas Tech is 7-0 for only the fourth time in school history, it's best start to a season since 2008.

I have yet to see the game in its entirety but what I did notice, and maybe it contributed to Tech ultimately winning, was that this team doesn't lay down or "quit". I have no idea if it was coaching or scheme but that wasn't something you could say about the Tuberville-- led teams. Morgantown isn't an easy place to play and I believe this game was only the third time in recent years that WVU had lost at home by double digits.

My "10 takeaways" from the game:

1. Amaro- Wow, just wow. The guy was carrying defenders like they were peewee football players just trying to hang on. Tech has a huge asset in Amaro; a player whose skills and level of athleticism just seem unfair. I'll put it this way: Tech will have another "Michael Crabtree" before they have another Jace Amaro. 
2. The Student- Kingsbury went on the road, to a hostile environment and came away with a win against a former mentor and fellow Leach protégé.
3. The Mentor- I wonder if Dana Holgorson and the WVU faithful knew what they were in for once they found out they would be joining the Big XII. This isn't the old Big East conference, and I wonder if Holgorson's seat is getting any warmer. 
4. Falemi- I'm not a Division I athlete so I won't comment on his technique or ability to make the correct play. I would assume his poor play was the result of some mental/ confidence issues rather than anything else. WVU exploited him much the way Tech exploited OU's Gabe Lynn in 2011. 
5. Underrated- Webb's mettle. How many times have you seen a frosh quarterback go into a shell or lose confidence once they've made a huge mistake? The fumble on the  1- yard line was just a result of Webb trying to do too much. 
6. Overrated- Preseason predictions. Texas Tech is 7-0 and doing a lot better than any national media pundit predicted they would. They may very well lose 2-3 games but they have already gone above and beyond where they were projected to finish.
7. Defense- The Texas Tech defense probably hadn't been tested as much this season as it was this  past Saturday. West Virginia isn't some offensive juggernaut but they were able to make some explosive plays. Giving up the "big play" and failing on third downs won't be an option for Tech with upcoming games against teams like Oklahoma State and Baylor. 
8. Homecoming- Tech is 3-0 on home and away Homecoming games this year. Also, not sure it matters much but this coming game against Oklahoma is...their Homecoming.
9. Norman- I remember the last time Tech had lofty goals and an undefeated record heading into the Sooner state. It wasn't pretty and Tech may very well lose this game, however, I don't feel like this team will suffer from a lack of fight or confidence. 
10. Game ball- Goes to Jace Amaro. The fact that he actually delivered after telling Kingsbury to put the game on his shoulders says a lot.