No Graham Harrell, no Michael Crabtree … no problem for Texas Tech?

Well, not exactly. A year after Tech soared to No. 2 in the nation at one point last season, the Red Raiders entered this year with plenty of questions — namely at QB. And despite stellar passing performances at times from Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield, they shuffled through three QBs in an up-and-down season in which they went 8-4 and finished unranked.

And they’re now without coach Mike Leach.

Texas Tech 38, North Dakota 13 – Sept. 5: Potts doesn’t make anyone forget about Harrell in his first start, but he does enough to rout North Dakota. His three interceptions are eased by four total TDs and 405 yards passing.

Texas Tech 55, Rice 10 – Sept. 12: Tech’s passing attack looks like that of the Red Raiders of old, as Potts throws for seven TDs and 456 yards in a blowout.

Texas 34, Texas Tech 24 – Sept. 19: There would be no Crabtree romping down the sideline for a program-defining victory this time, as the Longhorns pull away on a 3-yard TD pass to Dan Buckner for a 31-17 lead early in the fourth.

Houston 29, Texas Tech 28 – Sept. 26: Houston stuns Tech in the waning seconds on a 4-yard keeper from QB Case Keenum with 49 ticks left. Houston outpasses Tech 435-321.

Texas Tech 48, New Mexico 28 – Oct. 3: With Potts knocked out of the game before the half, Tech bounces back from its heartbreaking loss to Houston thanks to Sheffield’s 238 yards and three scores off the bench.

Texas Tech 66, Kansas State 14 – Oct. 10: Sheffield gets the start again and becomes the Red Raiders’ second QB to throw for seven TDs on the year. His 490 yards help Tech roll to a 38-0 halftime lead.

Texas Tech 31, Nebraska 10 – Oct. 17: Tech reminds us all that it does indeed play defense. Defensive end Brandon Sharpe records four of the team’s five sacks and helps limit the Cornhuskers to 285 offensive yards.

Texas A&M 52, Texas Tech 30 – Oct. 24: In a stunning turnaround, A&M pounds Tech a week after getting blitzed 62-14 by Kansas State — the same Wildcats squad Tech had beaten 66-14 earlier in the month. The Aggies win in Lubbock for the first time since 1993.

Texas Tech 42, Kansas 21 – Oct. 31: Seth Doege and Potts both see time behind center, but it is running back Baron Batch that steals the show with 123 yards and four TDs.

Oklahoma State 24, Texas Tech 17 – Nov. 14: Down by seven with 98 seconds left, Tech comes up with a fumble recovery to keep its comeback hopes alive. But it proves immaterial as Tramain Swindall drops a fourth-down pass on the ensuing drive.

Texas Tech 41, Oklahoma 13 – Nov. 21: It might not avenge the 2008 loss to Oklahoma that knocked Tech out of BCS championship contention, but it gets at least some revenge by smashing the Sooners. Tech outgains OU 549-310.

Texas Tech 20, Baylor 13 – Nov. 28: Heavy favorites, the Red Raiders need a late goal-line stand to survive the pesky Bears. Tech’s 20 points mark the third-fewest points scored in victory under Leach.

- Chad Peters