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BYU tries to keep unbeaten record intact against Texas Tech originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders and coach Joey McGuire enter Saturday’s home matchup with the No. 7 BYU Cougars ready for a brawl. In one of the most hyped games of the season for the Big 12, the top-10 showdown will shake-up the College Football Playoff picture.
McGuire has embraced the lead-up during the week. ESPN's College GameDay is back on campus in Lubbock for the first time since 2008, when Texas Tech stunned No. 1 Texas on Michael Crabtree’s last-second touchdown catch.
“I can’t wait for Saturday,” McGuire said eariler this week. “They’ve earned the right to play in this game. Now they’ve got to go earn the right to win it.”
BYU is the league’s last unbeaten team, while Texas Tech is chasing its first Big 12 title game appearance. The Red Raiders lead the conference in scoring (43.6 points) and total defense (271.3 yards).
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton returned last week from injury, and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez leads the nation with seven forced fumbles. He also sparked the interest of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who said the Texas Tech defender belongs in the Heisman Trophy conversation.
BYU is more balanced with freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin, who averages 98.6 rushing yards per game. “It’s a lot of fun to go see these places you’ve never played before,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “But it’s really just about getting ready to play.”
BYU heads South to face Texas Tech on Saturday (Noon ET, ABC).
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