No. 5 Texas Tech chases berth in Massive 12 title sport, braces for West Virginia

After a full week of relaxation, No. 5 Texas Tech can be out to make a press release Saturday afternoon when it closes out its regular-season schedule with a go to to West Virginia at Morgantown, W. Va.

The Pink Raiders (10-1, 7-1 Massive 12) have an opportunity to earn their first-ever spot within the convention championship sport with a victory and all however clinch a spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

Texas Tech can also clinch a spot within the Massive 12 championship sport if Arizona State loses to rival Arizona on Friday night time.

The Pink Raiders enter on a four-game profitable streak and are set to play of their first street sport since a 43-20 victory at Kansas State on Nov. 1. Their earlier street sport, Oct. 18 at Arizona State, led to a 26-22 defeat.

A victory would match this system’s 2008 season for many regular-season wins.

“Our guys know precisely what’s at stake,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire stated. “When this all began, when you informed us coming into the final sport if we win, we’re in, we (now) know that is the case so we’re planning on being able to play.”

Whereas Texas Tech’s protection has held opponents to 12.3 factors per sport and 266.1 yards, each of which lead the convention, the offense is second within the Massive 12 with 481.6 yards per sport.

Behren Morton accomplished 14 of 19 passes for 149 yards and a landing in a 48-9 romp over UCF on Nov. 15 earlier than he was changed by Mitch Griffis, who was 13 of 17 for 145 yards.

Morton, who took over after Will Hammond was misplaced for the season with an harm, has been taking part in via his personal decrease leg harm. McGuire recommended that Morton is on observe to play in opposition to West Virginia.

“Yeah, he feels nice,” McGuire stated. “You understand, we stored him in a boot all final week. He really went via every part. It was a shorter follow (Sunday), however he went via every part — he simply was within the boot.”

Not solely has Texas Tech earned all of its victories by at the least 22 factors, it has a mean margin of victory of 33.8 factors. Of their newest assertion, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez took a flip lining up at quarterback and scored on a 2-yard run. He additionally intercepted a move.

West Virginia (4-7, 2-6) absorbed a 25-23 setback to Arizona State on Nov. 15 earlier than taking per week off heading into Saturday’s sport.

With operating backs Jahiem White and Tye Edwards already out for the season with accidents, freshman again Diore Hubbard additionally will miss the ultimate sport with an unspecified harm. Hubbard was restricted to 2 carries in opposition to Arizona State.

The Mountaineers’ operating sport can be within the arms of Cyncir Bowers and Curtis Jones. Bowers has rushed for 246 yards on 58 carries this season with two touchdowns.

Freshman Scotty Fox Jr. is West Virginia’s fourth beginning quarterback this season. He delivered a season-high 353 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception in opposition to Arizona State.

“I do know plenty of groups are like, ‘Boy, we have battled some accidents,’ once they misplaced one man,” Mountaineers head coach Wealthy Rodriguez stated. “How about dropping three or 4 at that place. So, we’ll get all of it out of the best way this yr after which, go from there.”

–Discipline Stage Media