The Texas Tech Red Raiders, currently ranked No. 7, are set to face off against Arizona State in what promises to be a pivotal matchup in the season. Texas Tech has shown remarkable form early in the season, winning their games by an impressive average margin of 35.3 points. A recent standout performance saw them dominate Kansas with a 42-17 victory, featuring an astonishing 372 rushing yards, with running back Cameron Dickey accounting for 263 of those yards and reaching the end zone multiple times.
In contrast, the Arizona State Sun Devils, last year’s Big 12 champions, find themselves grappling with an unfavorable start, suffering from two losses by early October for the second consecutive year. Their luck worsened as they faced a heavy defeat against Utah, losing 42-10. Backup quarterback Jeff Sims struggled significantly, connecting on only 18 out of 38 passes, while the team was already affected by the absence of starter Sam Leavitt.
Historically, Texas Tech and Arizona State have squared off only five times since 1999, with the Red Raiders emerging victorious in their previous encounter last season, winning 30-22. During that matchup, Texas Tech’s quarterback Behren Morton threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns, contributing significantly to their success.
Fans can catch the Texas Tech vs. Arizona State game on Saturday, October 18, at 4 p.m. ET live from Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, available on FOX and via live stream on Fubo.
Key matchups to watch include Texas Tech’s formidable defense, which has benefitted from significant investments in their defensive line, leading the nation in tackles for loss and sacks. Linebacker David Bailey stands out as a midseason All-American, boasting 8.5 sacks, three of which were recorded against Kansas. Arizona State will need to devise a plan to counter his relentless pressure.
On the offensive side, the Sun Devils are heavily reliant on wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who ranks second among Big 12 players with 523 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, the rest of the receiving corps has underperformed, which will be critical to address against a stout Texas Tech defense.
In terms of quarterback health, both teams are navigating potential injuries. Sam Leavitt remains questionable with a lower body injury while Behren Morton is expected to return. Texas Tech appears to have a more stable situation with backup Will Hammond showing promise in previous games.
As they head into the match, Texas Tech’s dominant performance makes them heavy favorites, expected to maintain their unbeaten streak. While the Sun Devils entered the season with high hopes, injury concerns have left them vulnerable, making it a challenging matchup. Analysts predict Texas Tech will win by at least 9.5 points, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in college football this season.