After opening the last seven seasons 1-2, the Texas Tech Red Raiders scheduled a trio of creampuffs in 1998 and are, subsequently, off to a glowing 3-0 start.

Led by college football’s top rusher in Ricky Williams and a line averaging 318 pounds, the Red Raiders have been thrashing opponents with their ground game.

In just three games, Williams has 665 yards and six touchdowns. As a team, Texas Tech has nearly 900 yards rushing heading into their Saturday showdown with the Cyclones.

The main reason for Tech’s outstanding ground success is their mammoth line.

“They’re just absolutely huge up front,” Cyclone Coach Dan McCarney said. “They’ve got the House at one tackle, the Shack at the other one. It looks like five Marriott hotels up front.”

“The House,” in particular, could give the undersized Cyclone defense fits on Saturday. Sophomore Jonathon Gray stands 6-foot-5, 363 pounds and is considered by many, including offensive coordinator Rick Dykes, a top NFL prospect of the future.

“Jonathon has the most potential of any offensive lineman I have ever seen,” Rick said. “He can be as good as he wants to be.”

Gray’s supporting cast, though huge, lacks experience. Steve McFadden, at the other tackle position, is a proven lineman, but the interior three are all replacing starters.

With the loss of versatile four-year quarterback Zebbie Lethridge, the Red Raiders are looking to junior Matt Tittle to lead the offense this year. Tittle has responded adequately so far, completing 34-of-62 passes for 538 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions.

His primary target is sure-handed senior Donnie Hart. Before sustaining a hamstring injury in his fifth game last season, Hart was first in the Big 12 and top-20 nationally in receptions per game (5.86) and receiving yards per game (87).

So far in 1998, Hart is second in the Big 12 and 26th in the nation in receiving yards with 285.

“Donnie is as good of a player as we have had at Texas Tech at the receiver position,” Rick Dykes said. “He makes plays.”

On defense, the Red Raiders are led by All-American defensive end Montae Reagor. The 6-foot-2, 254-pounder collected 97 tackles last year — 18 for losses — as well as 10 1/2 sacks. Reagor also broke up a pair of passes, intercepted one and caused five fumbles.

“One of the great things about Montae is the intangibles,” defensive coordinator John Goodner said. “He has a great work ethic. He is a success at whatever he does. He’s a true All-American candidate.”

Arguably the best defensive lineman in the nation, Reagor leads a Red Raider defense that is tough on the outside but unproven in the middle.

Junior Taurus Rucker mans the other end position after 73 tackle, 4.5 sack performance last year.

Outside linebackers Ty Ardoin and Kevin McCullar return after solid performances in ’97.

In the interior, though, Tech could struggle. Having lost defensive tackles Stoney Garland and Cody McGuire and middle linebacker Eric Butler, the Red Raiders will start a trio which, last year, managed just 1.5 sacks and combined for fewer tackles than Reagor had by himself.

The secondary is also unproven for Texas Tech. With just one returning starter in average corner Darwin Brown, the Raiders have already been exploited through the air.

In their last-second 34-28 victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs, Tech gave up nearly 350 yards passing.

Another factor which could come back to sting the Red Raiders is a deficiency in turnover margin this season.

After posting a +52 turnover margin over the past five seasons, Tech is -2 so far in ’98, despite their weak schedule. Tittle’s four interceptions combined with eight Raider fumbles (four recovered by oppenents) could slow down the charge when they hit real competition starting this week.

Head Coach Spike Dykes will see a dramatic increase in the ability of his competition this week, but so will McCarney.

The Raiders and Cyclones match up well and should come together for a closely contested battle Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.