Game Preview: West Virginia football vs. Texas Tech
West Virginia will host Texas Tech in a Big 12 Conference matchup to close the season, and WVSports.com breaks down some of the key items of the matchup in our preview.
Kickoff: 12 PM ET.
Series: Tied 7-7
Last Meeting: 2024: WVU 15 TTU 52
Television Information: ESPN, Roy Philpott (PBP), Samuel Acho (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
Odds: Texas Tech -23.5 — U/0 53.5 (BetMGM)
Head Coaches’ Information:
| West Virginia | Texas Tech | ||
| Rich Rodriguez | Joey McGuire | ||
| Record at West Virginia: | 64-33 | Record at Texas Tech: | 33-17 |
| Overall Record: | 194-136-2 | Overall Record: | 33-17 |
| 2025 Record: | 4-7 | 2025 Record: | 10-1 |
Numbers of Note:
–The 2025 season marks West Virginia’s 133rd season of football. The Mountaineers are the winningest program in the Big 12 Conference and No. 15 in college football.
–West Virginia Football Coach Rich Rodriguez has 194 career victories, ranking No. 3 among Power Four coaches.
–Rodriguez is No. 2 on the all-time WVU win list with 64, behind only Don Nehlen (149).
–WVU is 8-3 in games played on Nov. 29, including 4-2 at home. The last time WVU played on that date
was against TCU in 2019 (W/20-17).
–Rodriguez moved into a tie for No. 1 with Don Nehlen at WVU for the most true road game wins (5) against ranked opponents.
–Since 2012, WVU has rushed for at least 150 yards 99 times.
–West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 40 of the last 49 games (since 2022)
–WVU is No. 15 in fumbles recovered, No. 19 in blocked punts, No. 27 nationally in turnovers gained, No. 32 in tackles for loss, No. 33 in third-down defense, No. 43 in sacks and No. 45 in passes intercepted.
–WVU’s defense has also recorded multiple sacks in 17 of the last 29 games
–WVU is 105-19 since 2002 when winning the turnover battle.
–On first down, the Mountaineers have run 331 plays and gained 1,718 yards for a 5.2 average. On second down, the Mountaineers have run 260 plays for 1,269 yards and a 4.9 average. On third down, the Mountaineers have run 165 plays for 842 yards and a 5.1 average gain. West Virginia has run 40 plays on fourth down for 185 yards and a 4.6 average.
–WVU’s touchdowns have come 14 times on first down (10 rush/4 pass), eight times on second down (4 rush/4 pass), eight times on third down (6 rush/2 pass) and two times on fourth down (2 rush/0 pass).
–Breaking down the West Virginia offensive numbers for the 2025 season shows that the Mountaineers have run 796 plays, 501 on the ground and 295 through the air.
–The rushing game has totaled 1,890 yards, an average of 3.8 yards per carry and 22 touchdowns. The passing attack has totaled 2,124 yards, 10 touchdowns and an average of 12.1 yards per completion. Combine the two and the Mountaineers have turned in 4,014 yards of total offense, 32 touchdowns, an average of 5.0 yards per play and an average of 23.7 points per game.
–Deeper analysis shows that the Mountaineer offense has gained 113 first downs by the run and 80 via the pass. On average, West Virginia has totaled 171.8 yards per game on the ground, 193.1 yards per game passing and 364.9 yards per game of total offense.
–West Virginia had gone to a bowl game in 20 of the last 23 years but is not in contention this year.
–The Mountaineers added 79 new players to the roster in 2025, including 39 on offense, 37 on defense and three on special teams.
–The 2025 roster consists of 124 players from 23 different states, Washington D.C. and three foreign countries: Australia (1), Finland (1) and Liberia (1).
–The ESPN broadcast of the WVU-Texas Tech football game marks the 347th national television game for WVU. All-time, the Mountaineers are 179-166-1 in nationally televised games.
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are currently leading the Big 12 Conference standings with one regular-season game remaining and have the numbers to back it up. The Red Raiders are led by head coach Joey McGuire in his fourth season atop the program and have matched lofty preseason expectations.
The only loss for the Red Raiders came on the road against a healthy Arizona State team 26-22 and they’ve already beaten Utah, BYU and Houston this season.
Quarterback Behren Morton returns under center as an experienced signal caller and leads a Texas Tech offense that is currently perched at No. 3 in the nation in scoring at 42.6 points per game and No. 7 in total offense at 481.6 yards per contest. Morton has thrown for 2,118 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season.
Cameron Dickey leads the Red Raiders in rushing with 944 yards and 13 touchdowns, while J’Koby Williams has 647 yards and 5 scores for a Texas Tech offense that averages just short of 200 yards per game.
A total of four pass catchers have hauled in at least 33 catches led by a trio of wide receivers with Caleb Douglas with 48 grabs for 696 yards and 5 touchdowns, Reggie Virgil with 45 grabs for 561 yards and 6 scores and Coy Eakin with 41 catches for 532 yards and 4 scores. Tight end Terrance Carter has 33 catches for 432 yards and 5 scores.
This Texas Tech team is also very good defensively, allowing just 12.3 point per game, good for fourth nationally and only 266.1 yards per game good for seventh nationally. The Red Raiders have done an excellent job against the run holding teams to just 71.8 yards per game, tops in the nation.
The Red Raiders also feature a series of impressive pass rushers and have been able to control games with their defense, to go along with an explosive offensive attack.
This is as complete of a team on paper that the Mountaineers have played this season and the Red Raiders check the boxes in every category heading into the matchup.
National Statistical Rankings
| Statistic | West Virginia | Texas Tech |
| Scoring Offense | 95 (23.7) | 3 (42.6) |
| Scoring Defense | 99 (29.2) | 4 (12.3) |
| Rushing Offense | 55 (171.8) | 26 (194.1) |
| Rushing Defense | 51 (139.7) | 1 (71.8) |
| Passing Offense | 103 (193.1) | 13 (287.5) |
| Total Offense | 83 (364.9) | 7 (481.6) |
| Pass Defense | 117 (254.6) | 35 (194.3) |
| Total Defense | 91 (394.4) | 7 (266.1) |
| Third Down Conversions | 129 (30.9) | 10 (49.4) |
| Opponent Third Down | 33 (34.8) | 11 (31.0) |
Coaching Staff Assignments:
Zac Alley (AHC-DC-LB/Field)
Travis Trickett (Senior Offensive Assistant/Press Box)
Jack Bicknell Jr. (OL/Field)
Jeff Casteel (Bandits/Field)
Logan Bradley (IR/Field)
Gabe Franklin (S/Field)
Ryan Garrett (WR/Field)
William Green (DL/Field)
Pat Kirkland (STC-Defensive Assistant/Field)
Michael Nysewander (TE/Field)
Larry Porter (RB/Field)
Rhett Rodriguez (QB/Press Box)
Rod West (CB/Field)
Derek Dressler (Assistant OL/Press Box)
Henry Weinreich (Nickels-Sams/Field)
Pat White (Assistant QB/Field)
Jake Casteel (Asst. Defensive Coach/Press Box)
Ryan Nehlen (Asstant WR/Press Box)
Andrew Warwick (Assistant Defensive Coach/Press Box)
Depth Chart:
OFFENSE:
QB:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Khalil Wilkins | 6-3 | 204 | r-Fr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 15 | Scotty Fox | 6-2 | 213 | Fr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 6 | Max Brown | 6-2 | 223 | r-Jr. |
RB:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Diore Hubbard | 5-10 | 190 | r-Fr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 27 | Clay Ash | 5-9 | 196 | So. |
| -or- | ||||
| 23 | Cyncir Bowers | 5-10 | 191 | So. |
WR X:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Cam Vaughn | 6-2 | 185 | r-So. |
| -or- | ||||
| 16 | Jeff Weimer | 6-1 | 209 | r-Sr. |
WR Y:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Rodney Gallagher | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 7 | Jarod Bowie | 5-9 | 162 | Sr. |
WR Z:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Justin Smith-Brown | 5-11 | 190 | r-Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 29 | Preston Fox | 5-10 | 181 | r-Sr. |
| 17 | Christian Hamilton | 5-11 | 190 | r-So. |
TE:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 80 Grayson Barnes | 6-4 | 222 | Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 81 | Jacob Barrick | 6-3 | 231 | Sr. |
LT:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | Nick Krahe | 6-6 | 305 | r-So. |
| 78 | Xavier Bausley | 6-4 | 305 | r-Jr. |
LG:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Walter Young Bear | 6-3 | 306 | r-Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 57 | Donovan Haslam | 6-3 | 341 | r-Jr. |
C:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | Landen Livingston | 6-4 | 294 | r-Jr. |
| 55 | Carson Lee | 6-2 | 327 | r-Sr. |
RG:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | Kimo Makane’ole | 6-4 | 300 | r-Sr. |
| 59 | Josh Aisosa | 6-3 | 321 | r-So. |
RT:
| No. | Name | Ht | Wt | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | Ty’Kieast Crawford | 6-5 | 305 | r-Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 65 | Malik Agbo | 6-4 | 280 | r-Jr. |
DEFENSE:
DE:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Devin Grant | 6-2 | 267 | r-Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 1 | Eddie Kelly | 6-5 | 286 | Sr. |
DT:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Edward Vesterinen | 6-3 | 284 | r-Sr. |
| 69 | Nate Gabriel | 6-3 | 315 | So. |
NG:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | Asani Redwood | 6-3 | 294 | r-Jr. |
| 52 | Corey McIntyre | 6-3 | 281 | r-So. |
| 94 | Elijah Simmons | 6-0 | 278 | r-Jr. |
BANDIT:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Braden Siders | 6-2 | 243 | r-Sr. |
| 0 | Jimmori Robinson | 6-4 | 248 | r-Sr. |
MIKE:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Reid Carrico | 6-2 | 229 | r-Sr. |
| 32 | Ben Bogle | 6-1 | 225 | r-Jr. |
WILL:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Chase Wilson | 6-1 | 230 | r-Sr. |
| 15 | Ben Cutter | 6-0 | 225 | Jr. |
NICKEL:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Fred Perry | 5-9 | 206 | Sr. |
| 18 | Curtis Jones | 6-4 | 231 | So. |
FS:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
| 13 | Derek Carter | 5-10 | 182 | r-Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 14 | Kekoura Tarune | 6-0 | 199 | Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 19 | Nick Taylor | 6-1 | 192 | So. |
BS:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Darrian Lewis | 5-9 | 198 | r-Sr. |
| -or- | ||||
| 7 | Israel Boyce | 5-11 | 192 | So. |
LCB:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Michael Coats | 5-11 | 183 | Sr. |
| 6 | Jordan Scruggs | 5-10 | 172 | r-Sr. |
RCB:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Jason Chambers | 5-11 | 193 | Sr. |
| 16 | Ty Crutcher | 5-8 | 176 | Sr. |
SPECIAL TEAMS:
K:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Kade Hensley | 5-10 | 190 | r-Sr. |
| 99 | Ethan Head | 6-1 | 185 | So. |
KO:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | Nate Flower | 6-2 | 184 | r-So. |
| 99 | Ethan Head | 6-1 | 185 | So. |
H:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Oliver Straw | 6-2 | 215 | Sr. |
| 42 | RJ Kocan | 5-10 | 233 | r-Jr. |
P:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Oliver Straw | 6-2 | 215 | Sr. |
| 47 | Aidan Stire | 6-0 | 198 | Fr. |
LS:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Macguire Moss | 6-1 | 225 | r-Jr. |
| 53 | Kaden Seller | 6-2 | 256 | r-Fr. |
KR/PR:
| No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Preston Fox | 5-10 | 188 | r-Sr. |
| 24 | Rodney Gallagher | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. |
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