West Virginia (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) at Texas Tech (3-3, 1-2), Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (FS1)
Line: Texas Tech by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: West Virginia leads 6-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
West Virginia has finally found some momentum after starting the season 0-2. The Mountaineers have won three of their last four games. The Red Raiders had played five consecutive Top 25 teams, going 2-3 in that stretch before last week’s open date. The homecoming game begins the second half of their schedule, when they play for their last six games at home.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas Tech QB Behren Morton against West Virginia’s defense. The Mountaineers allowed 590 yards against Baylor last week but are getting some solid individual play. LB Jasir Cox had two fumble recoveries, returning one 65 yards for a touchdown. DL Dante Stills is on the verge of setting a school record for career tackles for loss. He shares the mark of 47 1/2 with linebacker Grant Wiley, who played from 2000-03. Morton threw for 379 yards against Oklahoma State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Virginia: RB CJ Donaldson. The 240-pound true freshman sat out the 43-40 win over Baylor after entering the concussion protocol during a loss at Texas on Oct. 1. Donaldson, sixth in the Big 12 at 78 yards rushing per game, was back at practice this week. If Donaldson’s playing time is limited, he has plenty of help: Tony Mathis ran for a career-high 163 yards with two touchdowns, and backup Justin Johnson had 48 yards against the Bears.
Texas Tech: DE Tyree Wilson. The 6-foot-6 edge rusher is second in the Big 12 with his six sacks to average one per game. His 1.5 tackles for loss per game (nine total) rank eighth nationally.
FACTS & FIGURES
First-year West Virginia offensive coordinator Graham Harrell returns to Lubbock, Texas, where he set numerous Bowl Subdivision records as the Red Raiders’ quarterback from 2005-08. … Texas Tech ranks second among FBS teams with 365 yards passing per game, even while using three different staring quarterbacks this season. Donovan Smith and Morton are the only FBS teammates with 300-yard passing games. … The Mountaineers have won three of the teams’ five meetings in Lubbock. … West Virginia kicker Casey Legg is 8-for-8 on field goal tries.
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