No. 10 Texas Tech comes off an open week to host an Arizona State team that won last year's meeting in a series tied 3-3
LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech is 5-0, rested and ranked 10th. Arizona State is the last team to beat the Red Raiders in this series.
The Red Raiders host the Sun Devils (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) at 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox at Galaxy Stadium. Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0) had an open week after a 29-7 win at Colorado on Oct. 3. Arizona State won 30-12 over Hawai'i last week.
The series is tied 3-3 over six meetings since 1999, and Arizona State won the last one 26-22 in 2025.
Texas Tech wins with defense. ESPN's Football Power Index ranks Shiel Wood's multiple 3-4 17th in efficiency, against an Arizona State offense ranked 83rd. A.J. Holmes Jr. has 2.5 sacks and Austin Romaine 34 tackles. The offense has been less steady. Will Hammond has completed 97 of 142 passes for 1,102 yards, but with five touchdowns and five interceptions. Running back Cameron Dickey is out, so J'Koby Williams, who has 373 yards, takes over the run game.
Joey McGuire, in his fifth season, has the Red Raiders unbeaten, including a 28-26 escape against Houston. Texas Tech won the Big 12 in 2025.
Arizona State, the 2024 Big 12 champion, has had an up-and-down season. The Sun Devils lost 48-20 at Texas A&M and 55-19 to Baylor. Quarterback Cutter Boley has 1,229 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions, and Reed Harris is his top target with 590 yards and seven touchdowns. Owen Long leads the defense with 48 tackles. Kenny Dillingham, in his fourth season, will be without Lyrik Rawls, and Luke Baklenko is doubtful.
ESPN rates Texas Tech's offense 66th and Arizona State's defense 52nd, so the Sun Devils have a chance to keep this close if they can force Hammond into mistakes.
The weather in Lubbock should be calm and cool: 56 degrees with light wind, which takes away one possible equalizer.
Arizona State's history includes Frank Kush's 22 seasons. Texas Tech's includes Mike Leach's decade, from 2000 through 2009.
Arizona State hosts Kansas State next week, and Texas Tech visits Cincinnati.
Texas Tech's defense against Arizona State's offense, plus an extra week of rest at home, is the difference.
Our call: Texas Tech 33, Arizona State 14.