A look ahead to Saturday’s Big 12 showdown between Texas Tech and West Virginia…
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia
Records: No. 5 Texas Tech (10-1, 7-1); West Virginia (4-7, 2-6)
Last meeting: Sept. 23, 2023
Sports Roundup
TV: ESPN
What’s at stake?
A win Saturday clinches Texas Tech its first appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game in program history and a clear shot at College Football Playoff contention.
Conversely, a loss puts the Red Raiders at risk of missing the championship game entirely, nullifying their shot at a playoff spot.
West Virginia presents itself as a clear path for Texas Tech solely based on conference record, but the Mountaineers are 2-1 in their last three games. A win over No. 22 Houston kick-started the late-season success.
The Red Raiders are at near 100% health coming off a bye week, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said. So, things should continue on the same track it has all season, with a conference-record 10th victory by 22 or more points in one season.
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When Texas Tech has the ball
West Virginia’s defense has allowed 30-plus points in five contests this season, which will not bode well against a Texas Tech offense that ranks No. 3 in scoring.
The Red Raiders had a short two-game span in which they struggled to score in the first quarter, yet still boast a 143-13 first-quarter difference. Furthermore, Texas Tech has gotten out to a two-possession lead before its opponent scored in six of its conference games.
Quarterback Behren Morton, who has dealt with a lower-leg injury since Week 1, remained in a boot over the bye week, McGuire said. However, Morton has followed this same precaution each week since Oct. 11, and he’s thrown for 617 yards and four touchdowns in his two-and-a-half starts since.
Regardless, Texas Tech can rely on its run game substantially in the event that Morton is limited or the Red Raiders believe weather will play a prominent role. The National Weather Service projects a high of 38 degrees with sun, but McGuire said the team is prepared schematically in the event of snow.
When West Virginia has the ball
The Mountaineers have started Scotty Fox Jr. at quarterback over their 2-1 stretch, and the true freshman is playing sustainable football.
In a narrow loss to Arizona State Saturday, Fox threw a career-high 353 yards with two passing touchdowns. He didn’t have much assistance from his ground game, which was held to 68 yards in the loss.
However, that is not normal for West Virginia. Diore Hubbard, who leads the charge for West Virginia’s rushing attack, suffered a season-ending injury during the loss to Arizona State.
In his place, Cyncir Bowers will get the start with linebacker Curtis Jones Jr. handling short-yardage situations. Jones has rushed only twice this season, but head coach Rich Rodriguez said he will be called on significantly more Saturday.
A sudden change in personnel may be beneficial for West Virginia to confuse Texas Tech, but the expected outcome is that the nation’s No. 1 rush defense will continue to keep the advantage.
Prediction
Each week that Texas Tech has faced a team with a losing record, a member of the local media has asked McGuire if he considers it a trap game.
McGuire responds with a standard coach response, stating that “X” team is better than its record says, and Texas Tech will need to take it seriously. Then, the Red Raiders beat “X” team by 35 points.
Of the teams that have warranted that question, West Virginia is the best. Nonetheless, Texas Tech is a program built on making statements this season, and the best way to finish off its best regular season in program history is with a monstrous blowout.
Final score: Texas Tech 47, West Virginia 6
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