No. 13 Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) is preparing for an 8:30 p.m. game against West Virginia (5-3, 2-3) on Saturday. The Red Raiders follow two straight games with 11 a.m. kickoffs. In their last win, over Arizona, quarterback Thomas Castellanos threw for 144 yards and rushed for 117. Running back J'Koby Williams added 175 rushing yards, including a 64-yard touchdown. Running back Cameron Dickey is playing his second game back from an ankle injury he suffered weeks ago at Colorado.
West Virginia averages 261.5 rushing yards per game, first in the Big 12. Quarterback Michael Hawkins has passed for 1,598 yards and 11 touchdowns with two interceptions, and has rushed for 836 yards and 16 touchdowns in eight games. Running back Cam Cook has rushed for 923 yards and seven touchdowns. Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood said Hawkins is difficult to contain. West Virginia has allowed 483.9 yards per game, the most in the conference.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said the team will spend more time in the building before the game to account for the later start.