Arizona

This Game Breakdown was done by Russ Morris and Ethan Nieporte.

TEXAS TECH vs ARIZONA

General Analysis

This week marks the final of two old Border Conference rivalries the Red Raiders will play this year.

Texas Tech will play Arizona again early next year as part of the home-and-home agreement

This will be the first time the two schools will meet since 1989 and the first time the Red Raiders have traveled to Tucson since 1988

Texas Tech is 26-4-2 all time against the Wildcats.

Red Raiders were 15-1-1 during their time in the Border Conference (1932-1955). After joining the SWC Tech faced Arizona 11 times and went 8-2-1 against the Wildcats

Texas Tech is also 13-3-2 all time in their previous visits to Tucson with the last win coming in 1988 when Tech lost during game one of that home and home series.

Against the PAC-12 the Red Raiders are 39-18-2 all-time against the current members of the league, and 38-17-2 during the regular season against the PAC-12.

Arizona Wildcats: PAC-12: (1-1)

Arizona comes into the week with a win against in state foe, Northern Arizona and a loss to Hawaii.

Arizona is a fast paced, high powered offense that, just like Tech, looks to score every chance they have the ball.

Khalil Tate is considered one of the best QBs in the country by many, and whenever he decides to leave, he will be a 1st-2nd round pick in the NFL draft.

Their offense runs through him. Tate is a real good passer, Pat Mahomes caliber arm, but will look to run.

Arizona runs a spread with a little bit of option (RPO, Double, Triple), but their bread and butter is a baseline spread thanks to Kevin Sumlin.

Texas Tech will be the 2nd high powered team they will play since the loss to Hawaii, (I know what you’re thinking and yes you read that right. ARIZONA LOST TO HAWAII).

All kidding aside, Hawaii gave Arizona everything they had and won the game while giving the ball up six times.

The Wildcats will take advantage of mistakes but when pressured on offense, they will struggle.

Khalil Tate went 22-39, 361 yds, 3TDs, and 2INTs against the Rainbow Warriors.

His two picks came under pressure and trying to force his passes.

Kevin Sumlin is trying to coach him like he had Johnny Manzeil back at A&M.

They look to run the ball effectively….they led the PAC-12 in rushing last year and have two very good running backs returning from that team.

Defensively they will play tight man coverage, mix of the 3-3-5 and a little 4-2-5 schemes.

The opportunity for shots down the field will be there Saturday night because of how tight they play. They really like to blitz the backend.

Texas Tech Red Raiders: Big 12 (2-0)

Texas Tech comes into the weekend on a hot streak after taking care of business against lesser competition.

Alan Bowman continues to lead the Big 12 in passing yards, efficiency, and completion percentage of 72%.

The defense has held its opponents to only 13 points in two weeks. That is the fewest since 1998.

The Red Raiders enter the weekend ranked 18th in fewest penalties, while only being flagged four times so far this year.

Also ranked 28th in fewest penalty yards.

The defense is currently ranked 3rd in scoring defense, 9th for total defense, and Texas Tech is among the top defenses in the country already this season in stopping third down conversions as opponents have only turned four of 31 attempts into a first down. That 12.9 success rate ranks second nationally behind only Kansas State.

The offense currently sits 9th in the country for total offense

Jordyn Brooks is currently ranked tied for 6th among power-5 leaders with his average of 11.0 tackles per game.

Leads the defense in tackles obviously

What to watch for and game analysis

Both Arizona and Texas Tech enter the weekend ranked in the top 10 in total offense.

Both schools will look to score often while the defenses are going to try and prevent a track-meet.

The over under for this game is set at 73.5 and it is tempting to take the over, but with all this hype around the offenses the focal point for me will be the defense.

Arizona has already faced a team like Texas Tech and lost, while this is the first test for the Red Raiders.

This game will be looked back upon for when Arizona has to play Oregon and when Tech will play OU in two weeks.

This Arizona team will be as close to Oklahoma in terms of offense for Texas Tech.

I strongly believe that whoever will control the game on defense in terms of limiting big plays, overcoming adversity, and field management will win the game.

I look for Jordyn Brooks and Broderick Washington to have big plays Saturday night and force our offense to put the game away.

With that said this team is winnable and I feel good about this one…..

P.S.

Broderick Washington was asked after the UTEP game on what he looked for when Wells was hired in order for him to gain trust, and what he currently like about Wells. (Broderick is the Norense Odiase of this football team. He doesn’t say much, but when he does people shut the hell up and listen.)

Washington responded, “Really, I just wanted to see something different. Honestly just have a discipline us and make sure we do things right.”

When asked about what he like about what Wells has brought here, “The discipline factor and holding everybody accountable. Not being satisfied with success, and always pushing us to get better.”

Take that as you will, but there is the answer on what effect Wells has on the team. The players are bought in and the future is looking bright with what Broderick was asked. WRECK 'EM!!

Now for some Saddle Tramp news! It's almost time for some Big 12 ball in Lubbock and we are gearing up. In a few weeks, we will be hosting Bell Tower Tours! A date and times are still being discussed but rest assured, we WILL be giving them! Our new members are about to truly begin their time as Saddle Tramps this coming weekend, when they decide their Pledge Class names and decide on their song! This is a time honored tradition stretching back for 40 years!