If Texas Tech wins its next four games, everyone will forget about its weak non-conference schedule and narrow victories against Nebraska and Texas A&M.
There will be no more media members saying the Red Raiders are overrated.
With the nation's longest win streak at nine games, No. 8 Tech - 7-0 for the first time since 1976 - has a chance to prove its legitimacy against No. 23 Kansas, No. 1 Texas, No. 6 Oklahoma State and No. 4 Oklahoma in the upcoming weeks.
"This is the time of the season that's gonna make or break us," right guard Brandon Carter said, "Nothing in the past really matters at this point. What's ahead of us is really our biggest competition coming up."
No. 1 Texas started its bundle of games against ranked Big 12 Conference opponents two weeks ago against then-No.1 OU in the Red River Rivalry. With a 45-35 win against the Sooners followed by a 56-31 spanking of Missouri, the Longhorns are tops in the nation. In addition, UT quarterback Colt McCoy is the Heisman Trophy front-runner thanks to his leadership and flawless execution.
"I get excited, I'm giddy right now," McBath said. "This is what it's about, playing the best in the country. We got four weeks straight where we get to do that."
It starts this Saturday against the Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan., where KU has won 13 consecutive games - the fourth longest current home winning streak in the nation.
In the past under Mike Leach, the Red Raiders consistently lost a game they should have won. In the past two years, it was Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma State handing Tech unexpected losses.
Despite wins against teams with a combined record of 22-28, the Red Raiders have proven they have what it takes to win close games. After trailing 23-20 at halftime against Texas A&M, Tech's defense shut down the Aggies by holding them to 32 yards, five first downs and two points in the second half, while Tech's offense scored on four of six possessions.
One week earlier against Nebraska on homecoming weekend in Lubbock, the Red Raiders surprisingly were escorted to overtime where it looked like its dream season could come crumbling down all too soon. But with Tech up 37-31 in overtime, cornerback Jamar Wall ended Nebraska's upset bid with a game-ending interception.
Tech's left tackle Rylan Reed said it is wins like those that prepare teams for the nation's best teams.
"We've battled a lot of adversity," he said. "You know I'd love to go out and win a game 80-0, but at the same time, eventually you're gonna play those games where you're gonna be in tough competition. Those teams that have gone through adversity early in the season know how to get through it."
Leach said each of the next four games will be treated the same as any other week.
"Same as the other ones, just do the same thing," Leach said. "Just have good weeks of practices, good weeks of preparation and go out and play the best we can."
It seems like the Red Raiders are doing a good job of not looking ahead or peeking at the BCS standings or national polls, something Leach said he preaches to his team.
After a win against Texas A&M on Saturday, Tech running back Baron Batch had to ask a reporter who the next opponent was.
"I don't even know who we play after this to be honest," Batch said. "We'll enjoy this until tomorrow and then we'll get to work on - who do we play next? Kansas, and then we'll get to work on Kansas."
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