Arizona State, off to its first 3-0 start since 2019, will play its debut Big 12 game when the Sun Devils play at Texas Tech on Saturday.
The Red Raiders (2-1) will face the Sun Devils for only the sixth time, leading the series 3-2.
The teams have not played each other since 2017, when Texas Tech won in a shootout, 52-45 at Lubbock, Texas.
This academic year, Arizona State departed the Pac-12 for the Big 12, and now the schools will face each other with a strong conference start as an objective.
“For people to get into the Big 12 championship, for us to get the Big 12 championship, kind of all starts this week, you know, the chase to get in it,” said third-year Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire. “There’s gonna be a lot of teams in the fight to get into those playoffs and you gotta start by taking care of your conference play.
“This is a big week for both us and Arizona State.”
McGuire’s team is coming off a 66-21 win at home over North Texas after losing 37-16 the previous week at Washington State.
Arizona State traveled to San Marcos, Texas, last week and defeated Texas State 31-28 after falling behind 21-7 in the second quarter.
The Sun Devils last started 4-0 in 2016, with one of those wins against Texas Tech. That season, Arizona State lost seven of its next eight games to finish 5-7.
“This is the first Big 12 game; this will go down literally in history,” Arizona State second-year coach Kenny Dillingham said. “There’s only one game that’s a first. Very few times do you get to accomplish a first. Like a real first. It’ll be remembered forever as Arizona State’s first Big 12 game.”
Arizona State redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, a transfer from Michigan State, has completed 43 of 72 pass attempts for 573 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Sun Devils senior Cam Skattebo has rushed for 373 yards on 68 carries with three touchdowns.
The Red Raiders are led by Behren Morton, whose 10 passing touchdowns lead the Big 12 and are tied for second among FBS quarterbacks. That’s the most touchdown passes by a Texas Tech QB in the first three games of the season since Patrick Mahomes opened the 2016 campaign with 14.
