Texas Tech coach Dan Spencer wasted little time making a statement.

Spencer was brought to Lubbock a couple seasons ago as the coach-in-waiting for long-time coach Larry Hays. Hays retired following the 2008 season and Spencer took over for good.

Spencer certainly had his fair share of ups and downs in his first season with the Red Raiders. Tech finished last season with an unimpressive 25-32 overall record. However, it managed to compile a 12-15 mark in the Big 12, which was good enough for seventh.

There's no question Tech should improve on that mark in '10.

The Red Raiders have a few talented pitchers in AJ Ramos and Nate Karns to replace between now and the spring, but also welcome back staff ace Chad Bettis and a plethora of key offensive cogs.

Texas Tech could be a regional team if the pitching staff improves.

It's time to dissect the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech's five fall keys

1. Build off last season -- Sure, the Red Raiders finished last season with a losing record. Most teams wouldn't celebrate that fact. However, the Raiders do have a reason to celebrate last season's respectable conference record. Not only did they finish the '09 season with a 12-15 mark in the Big 12, they also reached the Big 12 tournament and finished ahead of teams such as Baylor, Oklahoma State and Nebraska in the conference standings. Tech learned several lessons last season and needs to build off the campaign between now and the spring. Tech gained some confidence last season, but there's still much more that needs to be done to complete the turnaround.

2. Replace weekend starters AJ Ramos and Nate Karns -- The Red Raiders have one of the best in the business in Chad Bettis, but still must replace Ramos and Karns, which combined to start 25 games last season. Ramos was 5-5 with a 5.21 ERA in 65 2/3 innings last season. Karns, meanwhile, was 4-5 with a 5.47 ERA in 54 1/3 innings. Though teams hit Ramos at a .292 clip last season, they only hit Karns at a .257 clip. Tech could still be fine without the duo. But it's a lot of experience and production to replace the next few months.

3. Bettis needs to live up to the hype -- It's been a while since the Red Raiders had a pitcher as hyped as Bettis. The junior right-hander needs to live up to expectations in the spring. He's one of the top prospects in the Big 12 and compiled a 6-1 record and a 3.59 ERA in 72 2/3 innings last season. He also recorded seven saves. Additionally, Bettis struck out 58 and walked 30 and held opposing teams to a .272 batting average. Texas Tech could be in business if Bettis turns out to be the ace everyone believes he will be in the spring. He's the table setter for the Red Raiders.

4. Improve defensively -- If there's an area that could use some major improvements between now and the spring, it's defense. The Red Raiders had a dismal '09 campaign in the field. They finished last season with a .959 fielding percentage, which was good enough for 176th in the country in team fielding percentage. That's atrocious. To perhaps make matters worse, the Red Raiders have the tough chore of replacing second baseman Willie Rueda and first baseman Chris Richburg between now and the spring. Tech will be significantly better in '10 if its defense improves.

5. Realize their potential at the plate -- We discussed the departures of Rueda and Richburg. They'll be tough to replace. Rueda batted .321 with 13 RBIs and Richburg batted .341 with 14 homers and 60 RBIs last season. The good news for the Red Raiders is they return at least six key hitters from last season, including Joey Kenworthy, Taylor Ashby, Scott LeJeune and Jeremy Mayo. Kenworthy batted .335 with two homers and 31 RBIs last season, Ashby batted .330 with a home run and 47 RBIs, LeJeune batted .327 with two homers and 37 RBIs and Mayo batted .313 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs. Tech has the potential to be very good at the plate. Will it rise to the occasion, though?