The excitement is ramping up in the Big 12. If any program has separated itself from the rest of the pack, it’s #7 Texas Tech. Through six games, the Red Raiders remain undefeated. Now, they’ll attempt to take down last season’s conference champs, Arizona State. The Sun Devils have battled injuries and underperformance all season. Still, their postseason hopes are alive at 4-2.
Which team has the edge in this pivotal conference showdown? Below is my prediction and pick for College Football Week 8’s game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Texas Tech enters this contest as seven-point favorites (-115) over Arizona State, with the over/under set at 51.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Red Raiders are favored at -305 on the moneyline.
Texas Tech vs. Arizona State prediction, preview
It’s no stretch to call this Texas Tech’s toughest game yet, although Week 4’s meeting with Utah also warrants a mention. Regardless, head coach Joey McGuire’s squad has been nothing short of dominant this season. Through six games, the Red Raiders are averaging the second-most points in college football (47.5 PPG). On defense, they are giving up the seventh-fewest points (12.2 PPG). It’s not as if TTU is playing absolute nobodies. Blowout wins over the Utes, Kansas and Houston are nothing to sneeze at.
There is some uncertainty surrounding Texas Tech’s offense this weekend. That’s due to the status of quarterback Behren Morton. The senior is a potential game-time decision due to a leg injury suffered last Saturday vs. Kansas. This season, he’s thrown for 1,501 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, the Red Raiders have shown they can win with or without their starting QB. Against Utah, backup Will Hammond led the team to its fourth victory with an impressive second half.
With or without a healthy Morton, expect McGuire to opt for a run-heavy approach on offense. Running back Cameron Dickey is an absolute force, picking up 591 yards and a conference-leading eight touchdowns. However, Arizona State is allowing the Big 12’s fourth-fewest yards per rush (3.49). The best way to attack this Sun Devils defense is through the air. Four different Texas Tech pass-catchers have notched at least 285 receiving yards.
Tech isn’t the only school dealing with quarterback questions. ASU gunslinger Sam Leavitt missed last week’s contest vs. Utah with a lower body injury. Unsurprisingly, the Devs looked awful on offense. Right now, the sophomore is trending towards playing this Saturday. When healthy, few QBs in the Big 12 possess Leavitt’s big-play ability. Through five games, he’s thrown for 1,039 yards while rushing for 275, accumulating 13 total touchdowns.
A major key in this contest will be Arizona State’s running game. Raleek Brown has done an admirable job replacing last season’s team MVP, Cam Skattebo. Over 91 rush attempts, the junior has notched 573 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately for ASU, gains on the ground might be hard to come by this afternoon. Texas Tech has held opponents to a minuscule 2.1 yards per carry, the lowest mark in college football.
Texas Tech vs. Arizona State pick, best bet
With Morton and Leavitt battling injuries, it’s difficult to put a ton of faith in either offense. That’s partially due to the run-stopping abilities of ASU and (especially) Texas Tech. For this game to become a shootout, it would take either a passing outburst or both defensive lines to falter up front. I’m not expecting either of those outcomes on Saturday. Given the status of these two quarterbacks, supporting the under feels like a smart play.
