The last two Big 12 Conference champions are set to collide when the Texas Tech football team hosts Arizona State.
The brief history between the Red Raiders and Sun Devils is quite captivating since becoming conference mates. They've squared off each of the last two seasons with the home team coming out with the victory in each. However, the loser of each of these matchups has gone on to win the remainder of their regular season games and then went to Arlington to win the conference title and earn the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Hard to see that happening for a third-straight year. The loser of the 2026 edition of the game would have an uphill battle to get to the Big 12 title game — one more than the other. Regardless, there will
be major implications for both Texas Tech and Arizona State coming out of this game.
What's at stake for Texas Tech football against Arizona State?
The Red Raiders are no longer the heavy favorites to repeat as Big 12 champions. Despite a 5-0 record and 2-0 mark in Big 12 games thus far, Joey McGuire's team leaves much to be desired.
The defense was never going to live up to last year's astonishing turnaround while the offense has generated infrequent positive momentum. First halves of games have been a wild ride of turnovers and deficits while the second halves have seen Texas Tech look like a juggernaut.
Which version of Texas Tech is the reality? The one who can't get out of the locker room ready to play in the first half, or the one that can make major improvements out of halftime and dominate the competition?
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Texas Tech is capable of being one of the best teams in the country but lacks the consistency to be feared by everyone.
Losing to Arizona State wouldn't be the end of the Red Raiders' bid for a repeat, but it would certainly show Texas Tech might not be capable of flipping that switch enough to make it back to Jerry World. On the flip side, would a win really prove anything of importance? Not really. But a dominant win? That could change the complexion of things entirely.
What's at stake for Arizona State against Texas Tech football?
Kenny Dillingham is one of the best young coaches in the country and has done wonders in turning Arizona State from a laughing stock to a respected brand in the Big 12. Dillingham seemed ripe for the picking to head to Ann Arbor last winter to be the new head coach at Michigan. Instead, he decided to stick around at least a bit longer, looking to prove his early work in Tempe is no fluke.
While it's still way too early to call this season a bust for the Sun Devils, it seems there's a reason why Dillingham has needed to get out the tin can begging for dollars to fund the program. Arizona State is 3-2 overall, but its two Big 12 games have been uninspiring.
Give Dillingham's team the benefit of the doubt for its super clunky game against Kansas in London, which wound up being a win. But then having an off week and getting absolutely destroyed at home by Baylor? Not to mention a so-so showing, also at home, last week against Hawai'i?
It's too early to say the rise is over for Dillingham. This is the usual trend for teams on the come-up: come out of nowhere one year, take a small step back the next, then try to help water find its level after that. Where that water lands is up to the coach and the program. Does it become a tidal wave wiping out surfers left and right, or is it more of a lazy river where patrons float gently down the stream without a care in the world?
Right now, the Sun Devils lean more wave poll than tsunami; however, earning a road win at Texas Tech could be the jumpstart Arizona State needs to turn things around. Slay the first dragon and the rest don't seem so bad down the road.
Players to watch for Texas Tech football vs. Arizona State
Texas Tech's J'Koby Williams
Cameron Dickey is out at least the next two games with a high ankle sprain, putting more of the onus on J'Koby Williams to carry the load as Texas Tech's No. 1 running back. Williams is the more dynamic of the two backs, able to beat teams with blazing speed, quick cuts and versatility on offense and special teams. He'll be the bell cow for a while and needs to help the offense set the tone from the jump.
Arizona State's Cutter Boley
The Kentucky transfer came out of the gates hot, throwing for 387 yards and 6 touchdowns against Morgan State. His games against Power 4 competition have been a bit more of a wild ride. His 11-of-23 showing for 95 yards against Kansas was a reminder that Kentucky wasn't very good with Cutter Boley at the helm. However, he also had 304 yards (on 25-of-43 passing) against a stout Baylor defense. What is Boley? Hard to say. Only he can tell us that.
Score prediction for Texas Tech football vs. Arizona State
Texas Tech 31, Arizona State 21: The Red Raiders are riding an 11-game home winning streak and should hold serve here again. That doesn't mean it'll be a comfortable game.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Will Texas Tech football handle Arizona State? Our prediction for Week 7 game
