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When the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) face the No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) on Saturday morning at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, the stakes are high for both programs. The Halloween contest offers Arizona a chance to make a statement in the Big 12 and on the national stage.
Both teams enter the game with identical records, but their paths have differed. Arizona suffered its only loss in Week 2 at BYU, largely due to a scoreless second half. Texas Tech, meanwhile, fell last Saturday at Cincinnati, 37-24, to a Bearcats team that Arizona defeated 34-7 in Week 5. The Red Raiders will look to bounce back and protect their home field.
A subplot to watch: Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege returns to his alma mater. Doege played quarterback for Texas Tech from 2008-2012, throwing for 4,205 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior before a brief professional stint in the CFL.
Key Analysis
Arizona's offense, which has put up 91 combined points in its last two games against West Virginia and Iowa State, will face its toughest test yet. Texas Tech boasts one of the nation's premier defenses, ranking second nationally with 13 interceptions, five of which have been returned for touchdowns (tied with Alabama for most in college football). Linebacker John Curry leads the team with three picks, while Austin Romaine, Brice Pollock, Amier Boyd, and Peyton Morgan each have two.
For Arizona to pull off the upset, quarterback Noah Fifita must continue his efficient play. Fifita has an impressive 18-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio this season, but he has been prone to turnovers in the first quarter. Avoiding early mistakes will be crucial on the road. Additionally, the Wildcats must contend with Texas Tech's physical offensive line, which has powered a strong rushing attack led by J'Koby Williams (619 rushing yards, five touchdowns). The Red Raiders excel at moving the chains and controlling time of possession. If Arizona can replicate its success against other strong rushing teams like Cincinnati and West Virginia, it will have a much better chance to secure a victory and position itself as one of the top two teams in the Big 12 as November begins.
How to Watch
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Kickoff Time: 9:00 AM MST
Location: Galaxy Stadium (Lubbock, TX)
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: Fubo
Radio: Wildcats Radio 1290 AM