West Virginia’s trip to Lubbock brings a matchup that looks tougher on paper than it may play out on the field.
Texas Tech’s run defense sits 13th nationally, giving up just 94.8 rushing yards per game, and the Red Raiders have the kind of front that can make life miserable. Their first two levels are loaded with NFL-caliber talent, and A.J. Holmes Jr. stands out as one of the best defensive linemen in the country.
But the numbers deserve a closer look.
Texas Tech has spent most of the season going against offenses that have not been able to lean on the ground game. Of the seven FBS teams the Red Raiders have faced, five rank 93rd or worse nationally in rushing yards per game. The two that have been able to run it well, Houston and Cincinnati, combined to average 215 rushing yards against Tech.
That matters because West Virginia comes in with a very different profile. The Mountaineers are fifth nationally in rushing at 261.6 yards per game, and this is the biggest test Texas Tech has seen yet against the run. The Red Raiders have not exactly handled their previous two real challenges well.
Here’s how Tech has fared against the ground games it has seen so far:
(FCS) Abilene Christian: 29 carries, 75 yards, 2.6 avg(No. 103) Oregon State: 19 carries, 55 yards, 2.9 avg(No.
- Houston: 37 carries, 175 yards, 4.7 avg(No. 138) Sam Houston State: 27 carries, 74 yards, 2.7 avg(No.
- Colorado: 32 carries, 78 yards, 2.4 avg(No. 93) Arizona State: 28 carries, 35 yards, 1.3 avg(No.
- Cincinnati: 40 carries, 255 yards, 6.4 avg(No. 104) Arizona: 30 carries, 12 yards, 0.4 avg
West Virginia’s rushing production is a different kind of problem. The Mountaineers are averaging 100.3 more rushing yards than the average opponent gives up, which is a strong sign that their ground game travels. The only team to hold WVU below its season average on the ground was Cincinnati, and that game still turned into a massive passing day for the Mountaineers, who threw for 464 yards.
Texas Tech’s overall rushing numbers are clearly shaped by the opponents it has faced. West Virginia’s aren’t. That’s why this game feels like a real test for the Red Raiders’ front.
The expectation here is not a 300-yard rushing explosion from the Mountaineers, but there’s also little reason to think they’ll be bottled up for something like 100 yards. West Virginia should be able to run the ball the way it has all season, and if the defense holds up its end, the Mountaineers will have a chance to pull the upset.
In Other News...
Former WVU Defender Suddenly Has A Future Fans Need To Watch
A court order has put former West Virginia defender Fred Perry back into the college football conversation, and it comes with a wrinkle that could matter for Mountaineers fans keeping tabs on former players. The ruling includes Perry and two others on the question of eligibility for the 2027-28 academic year, which opens the door for Perry to potentially play next season if he does not land at another school this year.
Perry is not currently on West Virginias roster and has not committed elsewhere, so his path remains unsettled for now. Eddie Kelly Jr. and Oliver Straw, the other two players involved, have already transferred and are playing at other schools this season, leaving Perry as the one whose next move could still shape whether he surfaces back on a college field in the near future. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Is Chasing A Fast-Rising Canadian Wing Fans Should Watch
West Virginia has jumped into the mix for one of the more intriguing young wings on the board, extending an offer to Kur Lual as his profile continues to climb. The 6-foot-7 prospect from Ontario recently reclassified from the class of 2027 to 2028 and also made the move to Bella Vista Prep, a combination that has only sharpened the attention around his long-term upside.
Lual already has offers from California, Seton Hall and Cal Poly, and his play on the youth basketball circuit has helped make him a name worth tracking well beyond Canada. For the Mountaineers, assistant coach Yusuf Ali appears to be the key link in the recruitment, giving WVU an early foothold with a player whose stock seems to be rising fast. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Brings Real Upset Momentum Into Its Toughest Big 12 Test
Texas Tech is heading into its matchup with West Virginia with plenty of respect for what the Mountaineers have put together lately. Joey McGuire singled out the offense, pointing to the strong play of Mike Hawkins Jr. and Cam Cook and the way West Virginia has leaned on an effective running game to keep defenses off balance.
McGuire also noted the defensive uptick under coordinator Zac Alley, crediting the adjustments that helped West Virginia look much sharper against TCU. For a team trying to build on real upset momentum, that kind of balance is exactly what makes this next Big 12 test so tricky, because it is no longer just about one side of the ball carrying the load. [Read more 🡒]