CFB game of the week: No. 8 BYU vs. No. 9 Texas Tech

ESPN’s College GameDay. A top-ten matchup out of the Big 12. Texas Tech fans tossing tortillas on the field (yes, that’s a thing). These are all of the elements that make a week 11 game in Lubbock, Texas.

However, it’s not just any game. This is the college football game of the week: No. 8 BYU at No. 9 Texas Tech.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have been red hot this season. The Red Raiders currently hold an 8-1 record overall and a 5-1 record in Big 12 play, which lands them at the number two spot in the conference.

Tech’s only loss came against Arizona State by just four points with a score of 26-22. Since that game, the Red Raiders have stacked back-to-back wins and look to make it three.

In the Big 12, BYU is big brother. The Cougars boast an overall 8-0 record and a 5-0 record in conference play, which lands them at No. 1 in the conference. Despite playing one less game than Texas Tech, BYU has shown that it is just as, if not more dominant. The Cougars' most impressive win came in the Holy War, where they pulled it off in a nail-biter by a score of 24-21 over Utah.

Texas Tech may be the most complete team that BYU will face this year.

The Red Raiders may have another Patrick Mahomes.

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but quarterback Behren Morton has been lighting it up. On the season, Morton has 1,750 yards, 15 touchdowns, only four interceptions, and a 67.9% completion percentage. Morton’s most impressive game came against Oregon State, where he threw for 464 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Similar to Mahomes, Morton is not afraid to cut it loose. Particularly against Oregon State, Morton connected on plenty of deep shots with phenomenal accuracy. Then, when it comes time to make first and second-level throws, Morton does it with even more accuracy, and the ball comes out quickly. There is a strong chance the BYU secondary will have a long night against Morton.

Morton has weapons to throw to, but his favorite and most impressive this year has been senior receiver Caleb Douglas. On the season, Douglas has 594 yards and 4 touchdowns on 41 catches. Douglas’ lone 100-yard game came in a win over Houston, where he had 114 yards.

The Red Raiders’ run game is nothing to ignore. Sophomore running back Cameron Dickey has rushed for 746 yards and ten touchdowns on 134 carries. Dickey’s best game was against Kansas, where he darted for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.

As soon as he is handed the ball, Dickey explodes out of the gate and uses his speed and elusiveness to be incredibly effective. BYU’s front seven and linebackers have to hunker down and close any holes to keep Dickey contained.

Texas Tech’s defense has been suffocating its opponents. The most points this unit has surrendered are 22 against Arizona State.

Junior cornerback Brice Pollock leads the team in interceptions with four.

Tech’s tackle leader is senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with 39 solo tackles and 74 total.

The frontman in the sacks department is senior linebacker David Bailey, who is the nation’s sack leader with an impressive 11.5.

Pollock, Rodriguez, Bailey and company may be enough to stop the momentum of BYU.

Bear Bachmeier is a baller. Since transferring from Stanford, Bachmeier has made Doug Flutie and other college quarterbacks who have worn obscure numbers immensely proud. No. 47 has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,693 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Bachmeier’s best game, at least in terms of yards, came against West Virginia, where he threw for 351 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He is also coming off a strong performance against Iowa State, where he threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Bachmeier has a reckless, but smart, play style. There are multiple instances where Bachmeier takes off and either jukes, runs over, or hurdles a defender. But there are also instances where Bachmeier, both in and out of the pocket, can stay composed and make great throws. Bachmeier is one tough Bear to tame.

When Bachmeir isn’t making plays with his legs, he is usually connecting with senior receiver Chase Roberts through the air. On the season, Roberts has 591 yards and four touchdowns on 32 catches. Roberts went off against West Virginia, where he had 161 yards on only four grabs.

On the ground, BYU is just as strong as Texas Tech. Junior running back LJ Martin has carried the ball 132 times and produced 789 yards and five touchdowns with zero fumbles. Martin’s best game came against Arizona, where he ran the ball 25 times for 162 yards and a touchdown.

While also donning the number four as Cam Skattebo did at Arizona State, Martin has a very similar run style to the New York Giants standout rookie. Martin is not afraid to dish out punishment of his own, and he can turn on the jets in the open field.

BYU’s defense has been very good, but not quite at the level of Texas Tech’s.

Junior cornerback Evan Johnson leads the Cougars in interceptions with three.

The Cougars’ leading tackler is sophomore linebacker Faletau Satuala, who has 32 solo tackles and 53 total.

When it comes to sacks, the Cougars have been underwhelming. Their leader is Jack Kelly, who has five on the year.

If Texas Tech wants to defend its home turf, the plan shouldn’t change. Their same high-flying offense and stifling defense should be enough to get them the win.

If the Cougars want to prove why they are No.1 in the Big 12 and ranked ahead of the Red Raiders in the top 25, the offense should continue its dominance, but the defense needs to turn it up a notch or two. With a weaker schedule to start, the defense was able to get away with a lot. This won’t be possible against the potent offense of Texas Tech.

As stated before, this game will be played in Lubbock, Texas, at Jones AT&T Stadium. For those who can’t make it, the game is set to kick off on Saturday at noon and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Max Malec is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mvm7264@psu.edu.