Is Mike Leach a writer's dream come true or not?

Fixed.

 

Absolutely, in fact, twice in the last four meetings, but Stoops owned him on Saturday. Oklahoma was clearly the better team, especially playing in Norman. But whether it was panic or Tech's typically aggressive style, Leach helped take Tech out of the game with his first-half decisions.

Lopresti (an underrated columnist) captured it best:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2008-11-22-oklahoma-texastech_N.htm

Meanwhile, the riverboat card shark of a coach kept going bust, nearly every Mike Leach gamble turning into an exploding cigar.

The Red Raiders had fourth down and three at the Oklahoma 15 in the second quarter. Field goal to cut into Oklahoma's 14-0 lead, and maybe settle down the troops? Forget it.

Leach went for it, thinking his team needed a spark. But Harrell was harassed into a shovel pass that didn't work.

Oklahoma then marched to a touchdown.

Next Texas Tech possession, fourth and 4 at the Oklahoma 45. Punt for the corner to pin the Sooners deep? Not a chance.

Leach figured his deflated team needed points. But Harrell's low pass to Michael Crabtree was incomplete.

Oklahoma then marched to another touchdown.

With the score 35-7, Texas Tech had the ball at its own 25 with 57 seconds left in the half. Run out the clock and try to stop the bleeding at halftime? Never.

Leach went looking for a lightning bolt. Anything to get life back into his shattered team. But a Harrell pass was intercepted by Travis Lewis and returned to the Texas Tech 1. A quick touchdown made it 42-7.

 

So, wait, only two Tech players are available to the media?

 

That sums it up but also what makes Tech fun to watch. Coaches who fully buy into the spread live and die by it and figure they can just outscore teams regardless of how many points opponent puts up.

 

A buddy of mine told me that in last year's Gator Bowl, Leach allowed two players to talk after the first day of practice, and their names were not Harrell or Crabtree. No other players were allowed to talk to the media until the news conference the day before the game, when Gator Bowl teams are contracted to make at least four players available. No Crabtree then.

 

That's the Bob Knight in him.