RaiderRed7

Everyone seems to think so. We still have hope that he doesn't.

Now that I have come out of intensive care at the local ER...kidding... I knew it was going to be a war. In fact I believe I warned of such on this board and especially back on the Tech boards. It was a perfect storm for a close game as far as Tech was concerned. The last 2 years we have had meltdowns at this point in our schedule and they were all at home. Missouri, 2 years ago and of not to forget the Colorado debacle last year in Lubbock. The receipe? Nebraska's proud program A Cornhusker team that was embarrased at home and before their great fans the week before Nebraska's excellent coaching staff ....and the week before our annual Hate Bowl with aghole. Disaster loomed. None the less, met some fine Nebraska folk. Sat with some guys that had drove down from Lomis, Nebraska I think it is. One of them, his son plays for Big Red. I think the players name is Lance Thorell. Great people. Had them sit with us since we had enough room at the table while we were watching the Texas - OU game. After all y'all have been through the last few years, as a outsider, I believe Nebraska football is now on the right track and headed back to glory. Since Mike Leach got to Tech, NO ONE has been able to do what Nebraska did to Tech. Hold on to the ball, consume clock, and man Joe Ganz was brilliant. What a fighter...hell the whole team. Great scheme by your coaches. The Cornhuskers were trying so hard to make your fan base proud again. I know I would be. As has been in the past, Nebraska is my favorite North team and the grit I saw yesterday made me more of a fan. No worse than 8-4 for you Nebraska this year I beleive. The corner is turned. I dread the trip next year up to Lincoln without Crab and Harrell. SIGH

Husker Nation.... The game is going to be competitive. I really don't think Nebraska is as bad as it appears. Missouri is just that good. As far as wanting to run it up. The main reason the score got out of hand the last time NU was in Lubbock was due to the interceptions in the second half. We returned most of them to around the 20. This offense can usually go at least 20 yards. I think NU had 7 TO's that night. Over the last 3 years, Leach has heard the complaints about "appearing" to run it up. Actually, he really isn't, cause in the offense we run, timing, accuracy and doing the plays over and over are much better than practice. Reluctantly, he now puts the back up qb in pretty early now a days. Even worse, in the 56-14 win vs UMass, Potts (2nd string qb) came in early in the 4th. They ran horizontal running plays and would, what appear, to run out of bounds so not to score anymore. This really hurts Potts I think, but Tech is trying to be a little more gracious in winning now, but still, running out of bounds on a horizontal running play with no or little pressure. Which is really more embarassing? I do remember however, NU running it up here in Lubbock several years back. 56-3. Frost stayed in the game very very late into the 4th. But as Coach Leach says, if we didn't like it, we should have stopped it. We didn't and couldn't. Y'all had a great team that year. This game will be nothing like 2004, no way we score 70 or 60. At least I don't think so. Tech should win, but we are horrible on the 6th game of late. Mizzou 2 years ago and Colorado last year. SIGH

Sheep Dog Mark... If you were a pastor, then you are one of the people you described: two faced, legalistic and holier than thou. Glad you moved. We are trying to get rid of that here. We are almost there. As far as 63 points Tech will score. Doubt it. It is going to be competitive I bet. Nebraska isn't that bad. Mizzou is just that good.

TEXAN IN NEBRASKA... Please tell me your not a "T-shirt" UT fan. Gawd, they are a dime a dozen. Go Tech!

Hey “Husker” Fans! This post is long and all but thought I would extend a bit of hospitality to those coming to Lubbock for the game October 11th. So welcome, to the “Giant Side of Texas”! I do this for all schools coming to Lubbock for a game with Tech to give the fans an idea of what is going on and what to do besides the game in Lubbock. So with that said, welcome to Lubbock the second/third largest city in the BIG XII ( 217,000 city and 268,000 metro). We here in Lubbock are excited to get to host such a storied program, once again and one of the nations best college fan bases!! (This always comes up so, yea, I worked for the Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau at one time.) If your driving in for the game, all those fields you may see is where 25% of the nations cotton is grown. May be flat, may be a lot of “dirt”, but hardly a wasteland as not only cotton but 25% of the state’s veggies are grown as well as 85% of the state’s wine grapes are grown within a 90 mile radius of Lubbock. Please, do not believe all the crap you might here about how hostile Tech fans are. There is ONE and only ONE school that brings out the worst in Tech fans and that school is Texas A&M. However, like any school, Tech fans are very defensive about their Red Raiders, Texas Tech, West Texas, and Lubbock. If provoked they will defend them venomously! So if you are cordial, we are as well. I digress…. *********** Please note that around the stadium there is a lot of construction going on with the nations second largest redevelopment project still in progress. You will notice that just east of the stadium huge chunks of empty land. That used to be all houses. Now it is being redeveloped. Everything was scraped off and a new better Lubbock is being built. Way been needed! Also 4th street and University Avenue is a real mess and looks very blighted. This is due to the Marsha Sharp Freeway being built. So ignore these eyesores please! Also, 4th street and the old Brownfield Hwy are in a HUGE mess due to the freeway construction. *Also note, Lubbock has grown very odd, as the Tech campus and downtown are in the city’s very northeastern sector. Lubbock stretches roughly 8-10 miles south, southwest and about 8 miles west of the campus and downtown. Many restaurants, hotels and such are located way S, SW and West of downtown sector. So if your staying downtown in one of the hotels there, you are in the far NE corner of the city and this area is pretty deserted on weekends as most financial districts of cities Lubbock’s size are. Need a map of where the stadium and such is? Ck out this cool site: www.mapgameday.com/mystadiums/ Click on Big XII, then Jones AT&T Stadium, click on hybrid and zoon in.. There you go. “The Jone’s. “ Another site is here: www.collegegridirons.com/big12/JonesAT&TStadium.htm So how bout a list of places to check out for a meal before or after game time or just during your stay in Lubbock. Lubbock does have all the popular chains, from “Chili’s, Pei Wei, On the Border, Carrino's, Rib Crib, Cheddar's, Texas Land and Cattle Steak House” etc. The one's listed below are for the most part locally owned or a regional type chain. These will give you a taste of Lubbock while you are in the “Hub City”. FOOD! STEAKS: CAGLE'S Steakhouse...located on 4th street about 3 miles West of Loop 289. VERY busy on home football game weekends, however, they have live music in the Town Square courtyard. The facility is large and set up like a small town. Very rustic. Can be a bit price-y for what you actually get and touristy. Call 795-3879. www.caglesteaks.com ***50 Yard Line...Been remodeled and under new management. Has returned to being one of Lubbock’s best steak houses. Located on the south frontage road of Loop 289, between Indiana and University Avenues. The restaurant is like a museum of old Tech memorabilia and pictures of the old days of the SWC. Call 748-3991. VERY crowded on home game weekends. Then again, all restaurants usually are in Lubbock. WELL worth the wait. www.50-yardline.com *CATTLE BARRON STEAK AND SEAFOOD GRILL…another “local” chain. They have a HUGE salad bar and excellent grilled chicken and steaks. Located at 82nd and Quaker Avenue. Can be busy on football weekends as well. www.cattlebaron.com ***TEXAS ROADHOUSE…though a chain, Excellent steaks, which you can cut with your fork, they are so tender. Fun atmosphere and great service. www.texasroadhouse.com/restaurant/144/ ***DOUBLE NICKEL STEAK HOUSE…located on Slide Road and 53rd or so. Haven’t eaten there as of yet, but it is a VERY upper end/upscale steakhouse. Owned by the famous “Spanky’s” clan so it has to be good. High quality food. Expensive but worth it, I am told. MEXICAN: TEX-MEX ***ABUELO’S.... Located at the intersection of 82nd and Quaker Avenue. This is a chain that you may have seen in Dallas, but you may not know that the corporate office is located in Lubbock. Started in Amarillo and Lubbock. More upscale type authentic style Mexican dishes and Tex Mex. Very good. Usually have a live band in the courtyard on weekends. Can be VERY crowded on football weekends. www.abuelos.com then click on locations for map to the restaurant. ***MI TIOS….located on University Avenue just south of the Loop at about 75th Street. Under rated, with good food and inexpensive. Another location has opened on 50th Street just East of Slide Road. CHIMY’S…Located across from the Tech campus, this inexpensive eatery is one of those college dives that is fun to hang out at and have some cold ones and have one of their famous “Gut buster” chimichanga’s before or after the game as it is very close to the campus and stadium. Very inexpensive. Huge college crowd hangout and very busy in the evenings on football weekends. Located on Broadway just East of University. CANCUN’S…located on South University and about 78th street, east side. Great service, great food and adult beverages for a great price. Another location is at Slide Road and about 56th Street. The University location is far superior to the one on Slide. **Lujan’s…Located off of 101st and South Slide Road. For anyone staying at hotels in the southern or southwestern side of town, this place is great. True Tex-Mex at its best. Great service, bar area with TV’s to watch games on. ITALIAN: ***ORLANDO’S...Two locations...Close to campus and usually not as busy after or before games is on 2402 Avenue Q. The other is located in South Lubbock at Loop 289 and Indiana. Excellent Italian food. Best Pizza's in Lubbock! This is not a pizza parlor but a full service Italian restaurant. Good Mixed drinks as well. Try the Blue Zuni. Very Bueno! www.orlandos.com ***STELLA’S…. Italian and continental food served here. Excellent service and food. Enjoy a beautiful Texas fall evening on the patio area out front, while you wait for a table. Located on 50th Street and Utica Avenue. Trendy joint. ***ONE GUY FROM ITALY….Two locations. One very close to the stadium. Located at University Avenue and Main Street. The other is located just East of Quaker Avenue on 50th Street. Excellent calzones and the best pizza in Lubbock!!! Fast and inexpensive. The one on 50th has a full service menu. FRENCH: CHEZ SUZETTE…located on 50th street just west of the Quaker Avenue. Always gets excellent write ups in the Texas Monthly Restaurant section. Also serves good Italian dishes as well. Something Special: ****HOME CAFÉ…located at 34th and Flint Avenue, SE corner of intersection. West side of the strip center. They serve home cooking upscale. This place has excellent food which is prepared by scratch by Chef Kate. Her husband Chef Jason, makes home made pastries, cakes and deserts. Try the Shiner Bock Chocolate Cake. Great Brunch on Sundays. Worth a look. ****Red Carpet Restaurant…Located at Avenue L and Main Street. Smack dab in the heart of the downtown district. For something special, try them for a 5 course meal on Friday or on Saturday evenings. In the evening award winning Chef Carlos will cook you up a 5 course meal that is fantastic. Call 747-0047 to see what’s cooking that day. Inexpensive but you will think you went to the country club after eating at this gem of a restaurant. Tell them Raider Red sent you. Very laid back. LaBowski’s…Located on 13th Street and Avenue M. Like Red Carpet, this establishment serves only Mon – Friday and sometimes Saturday evening. Chef Matt has several entrée’s to choose from. Excellent sandwiches with a special flare and of course the famous Roby Wrap. Way good. Open 11 till 2:30pm daily. ASIAN: ****BANGKOK THAI…I think the best in Lubbock as far as Thai food goes. Counter Service. Located at 34th street and Toledo Avenue. Clean and fast friendly service. They also serve Hibachi dishes as well at half the price at a Japanese steakhouse. SAIGON CAFE...Located just west of Quaker Avenue on 50th street. Clean and serving authentic Vietnamese cooking. Order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Try the Spring Rolls, a little different but excellent. Inexpensive as well! ***GREAT WALL….Located on University Avenue, just north of 19th street and across from the Texas Tech campus. Inexpensive and excellent food. Service is usually excellent as well. Very close to the stadium. ***TOKYO HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE…Hibachi, cook it up in front of you. Best in Lubbock for Japanese Hibachi style food. Located at 50th and just east of Utica Avenue. ***CHINA TOWN…located at 82nd and Slide Road…in Rockridge Plaza. Excellent food and service. Very inexpensive. Serving traditional Chinese dishes. Best full service Chinese food restaurant in Lubbock. Full Service. BURGERS: ***GARDSKI’S LOFT....2009 Broadway Avenue. A old Tech tradition for many years. Located near campus in the downtown sector. Excellent "bar and grill" fare. Can be crowded on football weekends, but worth the wait as the business is in an old historic home. Very rustic. www.gardskisloft.com/ SPANKY’S...Located right across the street from the stadium. Serving sandwiches and burgers. Very inexpensive. One of those College dives that has that special atmosphere. SCHOONER’S…Located close enough to the stadium on University Avenue just north of 19th street. Not the greatest food, but a good place close to the campus and stadium for quick hamburger and some suds. Can be a bit “smokey”. ***CAPROCK CAFÉ…Located at Indiana Avenue and 34th Street. Probably the best Burgers in Lubbock. Owned by the Orlando’s group. Great service and a good place to throw back a cold one or two as well. VERY busy during weekends. Rustic décor. www.orlandos.com/caprockcafe/ BAR B QUE: Bigham’s BBQ...two locations, one on 19th street just east of Quaker Avenue and the other is just east of Indiana Avenue and 82nd street. Cafeteria style serving line. RIBS are most excellent!!! Relatively inexpensive as well. I know ya’ll have the famous KC Bar B Que, but here is some real Texas BBQ. www.bighamsbbq.com RUDY’S BBQ…okay, so I am throwing in a chain. Very interesting way to serve BBQ. This chain was started in San Antonio, Texas. Can’t beat the flavor. Served by the half or quarter pound. Also, way good smoked turkey served. Hard to describe here. www.rudys.com/index.html RIB CRIB….located just south of 82nd and Slide. Though a regional chain, it is tasty and good service. Set in casual restaurant atmosphere. Great ribs. www.ribcrib.com/flash/home.htm BREAKFEST JOINTS: ROOF TOP CAFÉ…though they serve lunch and dinner, they are known for their excellent breakfasts! Located just east of Indiana Avenue and 82nd. Excellent service and outstanding omelets. ***TECH CAFÉ…Located just north of 34th Street on Slide Road. “Diner” type atmosphere. Good service, and excellent food. Good daily “diner” type specials. SPORTS BARS: Lubbock has a ton...here are some of my favorites. ***FOX AND HOUND.... Located in South Lubbock at 82nd and Orlando Avenue. Upscale sports bar. More of a professional crowd. Lots of TV's and good service and decent food. http://www.tentcorp.com Magilacutty’s…Irish pub style sports bar. Very good burgers. High end bar food. Good food, which is rare for a sports bar. Located at 98th and Quaker avenue. CRICKETS...Located across from campus and close to the stadium. Has billiards and TV's for viewing your favorite game. Just off University and Broadway. Good place to meet up before the game as it is easy walking distance to the JONE’S. www.cricketsgrill.com Moose Magoo’s . Magoo’s located at University and 84th street while, Cujo’s is located at 4th and Frankford. www.moosemagoos.com HEALTHY FOOD: ***BLESS YOUR HEART…located at 19th street and just east of Memphis Avenue. A casual café serving healthy foods low in fat and calories. Counter Service. Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm and closed on Sundays. Close to the campus and stadium. SEAFOOD: ***JAZZ A LOUISIANA KITCHEN…located just west of Bless Your Heart (listed above) at Memphis and 19th street. This is the original Jazz. Excellent blackened chicken. Live bands on weekends. VERY crowded during peak hours however. www.jazzkitchen.com **RIVERSMITH’S CATFISH AND CHICKEN…located across from the Sheraton Four Points Hotel downtown. Just south of 4th street and Avenue Q. Kind of a “heehaw” type place but has excellent catfish, served the way it should, the SOUTHERN way. J Counter service. ****Rockfish Grill…though a chain, this one is worth mentioning since Lubbock hasn’t a ton of seafood restaurants. www.rockfishseafood.com/lubbock.htm#lubbock (Hopefully that gives you a decent list of places to eat. What to do before the game or after?) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NIGHTLIFE: http://go.lubbockonline.com/nightlife For the college age Husker’s and SINGLES that are coming in, then check out Lubbock's Depot District: http://www.depotdistrict.com It is a collection of bars, restaurants and dance clubs. Located north and south of 19th Street on Buddy Holly Avenue. Lots of people down there on home football weekends. Way fun atmosphere with outdoor tables and such to watch others. Any type of music or club setting, it is there. If live theather is your thing, check out the CACTUS THEATER. Located on Buddy Holly Avenue and 19th street. Excellent live theater. Ck here for what's playing this weekend. www.cactustheater.com For the more professional type crowd check out "CHANCES R". Located on Frankford Avenue just North of Spur 327. Playing bout 75% country and 25% dance music. Wild West…Country and Western bar in the Depot District. Very popular with College students. Very large and roomy dance bar. www.wildwestlubbock.com/ For the “Alternative” crowd…try “HEAVEN” in the Depot District. Predominately gay crowd. They say it has great dance music. Personally, I have to take their word for it. J www.heavennightclub.net Another “alternative” bar is called the Luxor. Located on 4th street about 3 blocks east of University Avenue and the stadium. www.clubluxor.com ++++++++++++++++ MUSEUMS: ***A must for college football and old Southwest Conference fans...go to TEXAS TECH’S SOUTHWEST COLLECTIONS Research Library, located on the Texas Tech campus. When the SWC folded, all of the papers, old conference media guides, game programs, old game films anything that was in the conference office was sent to this library. Go in and tell them what your interested in viewing and they will help. I have spent way too much time in that library looking at all the old SWC items. Call 742-3749 for directions. For some of you rancher types coming in for the game, check out the TEXAS TECH RANCHING AND HERITAGE CENTER. Located on the Tech campus just west of the Stadium on 4th street. The outdoor exhibit showcases the history of ranching in America's frontier with more than 37 ranch structures that have been moved from their original locations to this site and restored to period time. Open Monday through Saturday from 10-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Excellent thing to do before the game as the acclaimed Tech Museum is easily within walking distance to Jones Stadium. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ranchhc THE MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY...located just west of the stadium on 4th street. The Museum consists of the Moody Planetarium, Lubbock Lake Landmark, and natural science research laboratory. The Museum's collections of art and archaeology are displayed. www.museum.ttu.edu/index.html Got some young HUSKERS with you? Check out the SCIENCE SPECTRUM AND OMNIMAX THEATER. The science and technology museum features over 200 hands on interactive exhibits. The Omnimax Theater (one of only 3 in the state of Texas) offers a giant dome type screen that shows educational and exciting movies in surround sound. www.sciencespectrum.com For young and old, check out the LUBBOCK LAKE LANDMARK AND HISTORICAL DIG. Once the site of an ancient spring fed watering hole, Lubbock Lake has produced evidence of an unbroken human presence spanning 12,000 years. Today, guests of this working archaeological and natural history preserve may enjoy interactive exhibits and hands on activities at the NASH INTERPRETIVE CENTER. This is considered one of the nations most important archaeological digs as well as North America. Located off the NW Loop. Best to call for directions or go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubbock_Lake_Landmark American Wind Power Center…Located just east of I-27 on East Broadway Avenue. Located in the scenic Lubbock Lakes Project. Best to call for directions. You will see a collection of 60 windmills which fill the large exhibit hall, some having wheels 25 feet in diameter. From the old wooden models which have been fully restored to their original colors and cast iron work. New addition is the 20 story turbine windmill. www.binxsoftware.com/vanhouse/vacations2004/WindPower.htm OTHER THINGS TO SEE: Some may not know, but Lubbock is a music capital. Like Austin, you can hear some of the nations most talented up and comers in the DEPOT DISTRICT bars or at some late night restaurants. There have been many Country and Rock singers come out of Lubbock ya'll may know. Pat Greene (Tech Alum), Mac Davis, Buddy Holly, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines, Tanya Tucker, John Denver (another Tech student) plus many others. In the Depot District be sure and check out the BUDDY HOLLY MUSEUM. Located on Buddy Holly Avenue and 19th Street. You can trace back Buddy Holly's life and when "the music died". Memorabilia such as guitars and even his patented Black Glasses. Located on Buddy Holly Avenue and 19th Street. This isn’t a gimmicky museum. It is upscale type museum. http://www.buddyhollycenter.org Take home a taste of Lubbock. Lubbock is home to several world-class wineries. Here are two that have excellent tours. LLANO ESTACADO WINERY: Located just south of Lubbock a few miles. Go down US 87 to FM 1585, turn left then travel about 2 miles, the winery is on the right. Llano Estacado Winery is an award winning winery that offers tours every half hour until 4pm daily. Open Monday through Saturday 10am - 5pm. Sunday Noon till 5pm http://www.llanowine.com CAPROCK WINERY...located a little further out. Go down US 87 till you get to Woodrow Road. Then turn left and you will see the winery on the left. Very ornate and beautiful building. Call Caprock for tour hours. http://www.caprockwinery.com *These wineries are legit. They are not some rinky dink thing. +++++++++++++ SHOPPING: Some of the LADY Huskers may enjoy a day trip to Texas’ largest one story mall. It is called SOUTH PLAINS MALL. Located at Loop 289 and Slide Road. Over 200+ stores. People come from all over Eastern New Mexico, West Texas to shop this mall. http://www.southplainsmall.com KINGSGATE CENTER: many specialty shops are located in this large retail center. Located on Quaker and 82nd Street. The center overlaps 82nd Street, north and south. Banana Republic plus many other upscale specialty type stores are located here. www.kingsgatecenter.com GOLF: RAWLS GOLF COURSE…this is Texas Tech University’s Golf Course. Voted #3 best collegiate golf courses in America. Located on 4th Street and Indiana, across from Texas Tech Medical School. All are welcome. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/therawlscourse MEADOW BROOK GOLF COURSE…Voted one of the best public courses in Texas. Located just NE of downtown Lubbock in Mackenzie Park. Beautiful course. Located in the Canyon just northeast of the central business district of Lubbock. Public course…all are welcome. http://www.golfmeadowbrook.com/premiergolf...d=6&page=45 LUBBOCK COUNTRY CLUB…Private Course…however usually can call and get on. Beautiful course. One of Texas’ most prestigious courses. Located on North I-27 on Mesa Road. http://www.lubbockcc.org GAME DAY! Sports Radio…The local sports radio here in Lubbock is KKAM 1340 am. You can hear the pregame which starts 3 hours before game time with “Countdown to Kickoff”. If they don’t have ESPN radio going, please ignore. Our “local” Sports Radio SUCKS here. Parking. If you are coming in a RV, get to the campus area as early as possible. Before all the construction began on the Freeway, you were allowed to park in a large shopping facility just north and across the street from the stadium. Well that “parking lot” is now a very deep hole due to freeway construction. Since this area has disappeared RV’s have been asked to park in a “free” tailgating area just west of the United Spirit Arena. There is a shuttle buses to and from the stadium from this parking lot for a minimal charge. Buses run continuously with little or no wait. Please note, parking lots directly to the west and east of the stadium are donor parking ONLY. If you are coming by car there is now parking across University Avenue just East of the stadium in construction areas which costs around $10-15. Other areas to park is on campus but be prepared for a bit of a hike. It is advisable not to park in neighborhoods just NE or North of the stadium. Not a real good area, especially for night games. Be sure and come early to check out RAIDER ALLEY! This is a collection of booths and excellent live music. The Dixie Chicks played here before they became HUGE. This is the “Alley” that started them all. There are some excellent vendors selling some way tasty foods. Come in and mingle with other fans, EVERYONE is welcome. Located just SW of the Stadium. www.texastech.collegesports.com/marketing/raider-alley.html For the college age Huskers, check out Raidergate! This is where the Tech students tailgate and listen to some really great live music which is provided. Located in the Biology Building Parking lot. Great live music for the college age crowd. www.depts.ttu.edu/raidergate ***Tech's game day atmosphere is one that The Sporting News voted as one of the 5 best in the nation! The Denver Post reported it the best in the BIG 12 in 2004 as well. Some people start tailgating as early as Monday before home games. Motor Homes start arriving then. It is crazy! J What to expect..... It is homecoming week here at Tech. No disrespect to Nebraska at all. But this game falls on the date we always have it. In fact, you can’t really pick a date in the BIG 12 that isn’t tough. Thursday is when the campus starts gearing up for a BIG 12 football weekend. On Thursday night, fans and students put red and black streamers on anything that sticks up on campus, as the campus is painted red and black. This has been done for years and years. One of the statues in the center of campus called the Will Rogers and Soapsuds is wrapped in red crape paper. The arse of the horse points exactly to A&M. The horse’s arse isn’t wrapped so its, errr “backside” is always showing towards A&M. J The group that does all the wrapping is the Saddle Tramps (male spirit organization) and this event is called “The Midnight Ride”. Friday: Depot District is hopping on football weekends. Many live bands throughout the city as well. When you get into town, buy a “Lubbock Avalanche Journal” and there is a pull out section called “Around Town” and there is a list of what bands are playing in Lubbock for that weekend. Or if coming in on Saturday, ck out the Depot District. http://www.depotdistrict.com Saturday: Saturday Morning the annual Homecoming Parade begins. Ck the paper for the times. It runs from downtown Lubbock down Broadway through the campus. Usually pretty good with some pretty good floats as organizations compete for the best floats. Fans descend on the Tech campus by the thousands 4-5 hours before kickoff to enjoy Raider Alley, Raidergate and tailgating. You will see people with fine dinning room furniture under large canopy tents. Large ornate light fixtures hanging above the tables, and food being served on their fine china by wait staff. 54” big screen TV’s. The smell of bbq to hamburgers to some extravagant gourmet dishes being prepared and served by staff in Tuxes. As kickoff time nears, you may here in the distance the 450+ member “Goin Band From Raiderland” doing the traditional "Snake Dance" through the campus. They start on the south end of campus and march to the stadium with tailgaters and fans joining behind them. Once they get just south of the stadium the huge band splits into to two bands. One heads east the other west. “Grandiosa” is blasted by the east band as it makes their approach to the East ramp into the stadium. Once done the West band is now nearing the stadium. They then start to play “Grandiosa”. This is the signal to all tailgaters and fans, it is game time! http://www.orgs.ttu.edu/goinband/Sounds.asp Click on “Gradiosa” Now inside the stadium and after you settle in, some of you Husker fans that have been to games in Lubbock before and even some that haven’t, will notice the new Press facility and luxury suites. It towers 5 stories over the West Upper Deck. This is one of several phases of updates the stadium has received and will receive. The next phase begins after this season to add a replica building to the East Side with 3 more Luxury Suites levels and retail space on the first level and a Texas Tech Football Hall of Fame. Within 3 years the next phase will begin on adding 10-12,000 seats to the north end, “the closing of the north end”, to bring the Jones to 67-68,000. Tech has outgrown it's old SWC and early BIG 12 home that you may remember or have seen in TV games, as you can see with yet another sellout that will appear this weekend. Now it is time for the 450 member “Goin Band from Raiderland” to take the field. They thunder out of the tunnels and fill all 50 yards of the south end of Jones. As the crowd rises the "stadium voice" says it is time for “FIGHT, RAIDERS FIGHT”...Raider fans clap and sing the fight song as they march to the north end to make the traditional HUGE Double T. Next the stage is now set for one of America’s most exciting way a team enters a field. After we honor our nation, the band plays the Matador Song. (Tech’s Alma Mater) The Jumbo Tron begins the “pregame” show. Then you will see the Red Raiders making their way towards the tunnel they are touching the "Bronze Saddle" which brings good luck to all who touch it. The saddle is a replica worn by the horse that tragically died on the field back in 1994. Now, it is time…. for the nations most spectacular entrances of any football team. There have been MANY that have copied Texas Tech (Oklahoma State, USC and Florida State), but none can match!!! Smoke billows in the SW corner of the stadium. The Red Raider Fanfare of “GO…FIGHT…WIN....2bits, 4 bits, 6 bits a doller....all for the Raiders Stand up and Holler”...the 55,000+ erupts as the Masked Rider on the beautiful black horse emerges from the smoke riding full stride towards the north and the Red Raiders running behind the horse and rider! Even the most jaded HUSKERS will watch in admiration. The band moves off the field and plays with vigor FIGHT RAIDERS, FIGHT. After that, it is time for the Bell Circle. The Saddle Tramps (Male spirit organization) will run on to the field clanging their cow bells, and in sync with the crowd will do GO, FIGHT, WIN, the cannon booms and Raider Red shoots off his guns as it is now GAME TIME! RAIDER POWER thunders through the stands as the gladiators are now set to do battle. Links of what is described above can be seen here…some videos are a bit bad. I know this was very long, but thought the more appreciative HUSKERS would want to know something about where you are traveling and what to do. Hopefully, y’all have not been brain washed by the texas aggie trash propaganda and will find Texas Tech and Lubbock to be a pretty nice place and not a dust bowl as some down state folks may try to sell you. Here is to a good game, have a safe trip to the High Plains and the GIANT side of Texas...and of course…. GO TECH! & Welcome to Lubbock!