Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Arizona Wildcats Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 5th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Arizona, fresh off a momentous victory against No. 10 Utah, will attempt to impede the progress of long-time regional foe Texas Tech as they host their first Big 12 home game on Saturday evening in Tucson, Arizona.

The Wildcats (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) put on a stellar performance in their 23-10 triumph over the Utes, and will now face a tougher challenge from the Red Raiders, who currently rank 16th in the nation in scoring (41.6 points per game) and 15th in total offense (486.4 yards per game).

Texas Tech (4-1, 2-0) is propelled by running back Tahj Brooks, who boasts an average of 137.8 rushing yards per game and has surpassed the 100-yard mark in all four games he has played this season. In their recent 44-41 home victory against Cincinnati, Brooks ran for an impressive 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Although the Red Raiders have a solid record of 14-3 at home under coach Joey McGuire, their performance on the road has been less impressive, with a record of 3-9.

"The team is in a positive mindset," McGuire stated on Monday. "We have a lot of confidence at the moment."

The Red Raiders will be aiming to achieve a 3-0 record in Big 12 play for the first time since 2013, while Arizona is still adjusting to their new conference. These two teams were once rivals in the old Border Conference, with Texas Tech currently leading the series 26-5-2. However, they have only faced each other once since 1989.

Wildcats coach Brent Brennan announced on Monday that he had made a change in offensive play-callers during their previous bye week. Passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Matt Adkins took over these responsibilities from offensive coordinator Dino Babers.

"We felt that the bye week was the perfect time for Coach Adkins, with the assistance of Dino, to take on this role," Brennan explained. "Coach Babers has been fully supportive of this decision and has been extremely cooperative."

One player who immediately benefited from this change was tight end Keyan Burnett, who caught five passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. He could prove to be a valuable asset alongside star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, both of whom were teammates of Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita in high school.

PREDICTION

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Arizona Wildcats

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Arizona Wildcats Recap OCT 5TH 2024

Gino Garcia kicked a go-ahead 41-yard field goal with 2:21 left and Tahj Brooks scored a late touchdown after a turnover as Texas Tech beat Arizona 28-22 on Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz.

Brooks scored on a 32-yard run for a 28-19 lead after Texas Tech (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) knocked the ball loose from Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan and recovered the fumble at the Wildcats 43 with 2:12 to go. Brooks scored three touchdowns on the ground, rushing for 128 yards on 21 carries.

Tyler Loop hit a 52-yard field goal with 54 seconds left for Arizona (3-2, 1-1), but the Red Raiders recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

Brooks' two lost fumbles loomed large until late in the game, as they helped the Wildcats rally from an 18-3 halftime deficit. The hosts took their first lead at 19-18 when Loop kicked a 37-yard field goal with 10:07 to go in the fourth quarter.

Loop converted a school-record five field goals on six tries, missing his fifth attempt, from 48 yards out, that would have given Arizona a four-point lead with 4:52 left in the game.

On the ensuing possession, Texas Tech put together its longest drive of the second half before stalling at the Arizona 23. That was close enough for Garcia, who booted his 41-yarder.

Texas Tech is off to its first 3-0 start in Big 12 play since 2013.

Behren Morton completed 17 of 29 passes for 214 yards for the Red Raiders. Caleb Douglas caught five passes for 116 yards. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez made 13 tackles, had one sack and forced McMillan's fumble.

Arizona's Noah Fifita finished with 301 yards on 28-of-49 passing. He was picked off twice. McMillan led the receiving group with eight receptions for 161 yards.

Brooks scored twice in the first half, on runs of 3 and 9 yards, with the second score coming with 1:38 to go until intermission. A two-point conversion try following that second TD was successful, giving Texas Tech a 15-3 lead.

Garcia made good on a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.