West Virginia is coming off a bye week after defeating TCU 24-20 two weeks ago. The Mountaineers have won two straight games and now face one of their toughest challenges of the season.
Rich Rodriguez’s team travels to Lubbock, Texas, to take on No. 15 Texas Tech Saturday night. The Red Raiders are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big 12 play after beating No. 22 Arizona, 34-26. Read more: Scene Setter: WVU faces major road test against No. 15 Texas Tech.
WVU enters at 5-3 overall and 2-3 in conference play. A win would give the Mountaineers bowl eligibility and another major victory under Rodriguez.
Texas Tech’s strengths
Texas Tech has been strong on both sides of the football this season, averaging 35.6 points per game while allowing just 21.3.
The Red Raiders are also coming off an impressive rushing performance against Arizona, totaling 328 net yards on the ground.
Quarterback Thomas Castellanos made his first start for Texas Tech last week, rushing for 117 yards. The former UCF, Boston College, and Florida State quarterback gives the Red Raiders another threat outside the pocket.
West Virginia’s defense will need to find a way to slow down that rushing attack after allowing 483.9 total yards per game this season.
Hawkins and Cook lead the way
West Virginia’s rushing attack will be just as important Saturday.
The Mountaineers rank fifth nationally with 261.6 rushing yards per game. Cam Cook has led the way with 923 yards and seven touchdowns through eight games.
Michael Hawkins Jr. has also been a major part of the ground game, giving Rodriguez another weapon in the backfield.
However, Texas Tech has been one of the better teams in the country at stopping the run, allowing just 94.9 yards per game. The Red Raiders held Arizona to only 12 rushing yards last weekend.
WVU will need to establish the run early and keep the Texas Tech defense guessing.
WVU defense needs a big night
The Mountaineers have struggled defensively throughout the season, allowing 32.3 points per game.
Their biggest concern has been stopping the pass, giving up 317.9 passing yards per contest.
Related: Keys to the game: WVU travels to Texas Tech following bye week
Texas Tech has the offensive talent to take advantage of those struggles. West Virginia will need to limit explosive plays, tackle better and find ways to get off the field.
The bye week gave Zac Alley and the defense extra time to make adjustments. Saturday will show whether that preparation makes a difference.
Other storylines
Rodriguez enters Saturday with 199 career victories. A win would give him No. 200 as a head coach.
West Virginia also has a chance to become bowl eligible with its sixth win of the season.
The Mountaineers trail in the all-time series, 7-8, and have lost six of the last seven meetings. Their last win came in 2023, a 20-13 victory in Morgantown.
Texas Tech also defeated WVU 49-0 last season, giving the Mountaineers another reason to want a different result.
It is an opportunity for West Virginia to prove it can compete with one of the Big 12’s best teams.
Related: Everything you need to know: WVU faces ranked Texas Tech for rare 9:30 kickoff
Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock. The game will be televised on ESPN.
The Mountaineer Tailgate pregame show begins at 7:30 p.m. on 100.9 The Torch, JFMN.TV, and themountaineertailgate.com.
