Texas Tech fans can sleep peacefully now that two Red Raider sources said on Tuesday that a fully healthy Taylor Potts will start Saturday's game against Texas A&M.
Potts replaces Steven Sheffield, who will be sidelined two-to-three weeks after injurying his right foot during last Saturday's 31-10 win over Nebraska. Sheffield had replaced Potts after the latter suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the Oct. 3 game against New Mexico.
While Sheffield was flourishing and gaining rock star status around campus following impressive outings against New Mexico, Kansas State and Nebraska, the Raiders were playing their best football of the season with the junior from Pflugerville Connally at the helm.
But after Sheffield's injury, Raider fans weren't sure if Potts had recovered from his concussion. They even feared that the Raiders would start third-string quarterback Seth Doege _ a redshirt freshman from Wolfforth Frenship High School _ against A&M.
However, of Potts' status for the A&M game, the source said: "He's fine.''
Asked about the controversy on whether Potts hasn't recovered from the concussion, the source said: "That's completely been blown out of proportion.''
Will the Raiders be in good hands with Potts? Sure they will.
Remember, Coach Mike Leach hand-picked Potts as his starter over Sheffield before the season, and Potts was the nation's top quarterback before suffering the concussion.
Since Leach rightfully took the blame for the 29-28 loss at Houston on Sept. 26 after he passed up an 18-yard chip-shot field goal that would have put Tech up by eight points with 10:56 left in the game, you can't pin that loss on Potts.
And in the previous game at No. 2-ranked Texas, Potts completely outplayed Heisman Trophy candidate Colt McCoy. In that game, Potts was 46 of 62 for 420 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while McCoy was just 24 of 34 for 205 yards with one TD and two interceptions.
How quickly the fans forget.
"He almost beat Texas at Texas,'' the source said. "They forget what Potts did against Texas.''
As far as comparing Potts to Sheffield, the source said: "They're both good quarterbacks. We've got a good little problem on our hands.''
_ Dwain Price
_ Dwain Price
No offense Dwain, but Taylor Potts is terrible. I blame him for our pitiful start this season. Sheffield was our only hope for this season.. Don't be surprised when we lose to A&M this weekend.
Posted by: Bryan Nester | October 23, 2009 at 01:40 AM