Texas A&M, UT avoid upsets; Tech not so lucky

An emotional Kenny Dillingham couldn’t answer Saturday when a sideline reporter asked what it meant for Arizona State to upset sixth-ranked Texas Tech, the 16th win over a Top 10 team in program history.

Here’s what he could have said:

Thank God for Texas.

Since pushing Texas to double overtime in the national quarterfinals last season, the defending Big 12 champs are 4-0 against teams from the Lone Star State. Three of the wins this season were in Tempe (Texas State, TCU and Tech) and the fourth on the road (Baylor).

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The Sun Devils’ only other win this season? Northern Arizona. Otherwise, Mississippi State upset them when they ranked 12th, and Utah romped by 32.

ASU proved to be a rude awakening for schools from these parts. The losses by Texas State, TCU and Tech were their first of the season.

“We’re fixin’ to find out how we face a loss,” Joey McGuire said after the Sun Devils’ 26-22 comeback.

“That’s the adversity you’ve got to find out.”

The Red Raiders faced considerable adversity against ASU with Behren Morton sitting out due to an injury to his right leg. His backup, Will Hammond, struggled early but led a pair of touchdown drives to give Tech a 22-19 lead with two minutes left.

Then Sam Leavitt, a Patrick Mahomes starter kit whom McGuire called “a difference-maker,” rallied the Sun Devils for a last-gasp touchdown and the win.

The Raiders’ offensive difficulties — they managed 276 yards after averaging an FBS-best 558.8 going in — were to be expected without Morton. But ASU also tuned up one of the nation’s best defenses for 394 yards.

Fortunately for McGuire, Tech’s bounce-back potential looks good with Oklahoma State visiting Lubbock on Saturday. But a Kansas State team that surprised TCU looms in two weeks in Manhattan, followed by undefeated BYU.

Meanwhile, next up on the Sun Devils’ Lone Star hit list: Houston on Saturday, the last of the Texas teams on their schedule. From there on out, they’re on their own.

In other Best in Texas news, Texas A&M and Texas narrowly avoided disastrous upsets; SMU got revenge on Clemson for last year’s ACC title game; and North Texas bounced back from a humiliating loss to South Florida with a blowout of UTSA, earning a bowl berth in the process.

1. Texas A&M (7-0)

Aggies did what Texas couldn’t against Gators, though it’s nice not to have to play in the Swamp.

Last: 45-42 win over Arkansas.

Next: at LSU on Saturday.

2. Texas Tech (6-1)

Red Raiders need Morton for more than “emergency.”

Last: 26-22 loss to Arizona State.

Next: Oklahoma State on Saturday.

3. SMU (5-2)

Date with Miami on Nov. 1 looking big.

Last: 35-24 win over Clemson.

Next: at Wake Forest on Saturday.