How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Sam Houston: Red Raiders Hope to Perfect
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No. 11 Texas Tech gets one more nonconference test Saturday before returning to Big 12 play, and the Red Raiders can’t afford to treat Sam Houston like a routine tune-up.
Texas Tech enters the game 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12 after surviving No. 22 Houston 28-26 last week. The Red Raiders have now won 10 straight home games and can open 4-0 for the second consecutive season with another victory at Galaxy Stadium.
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The biggest challenge comes from Sam Houston quarterback Landyn Locke.
Locke has opened the season with three straight 300-yard passing games and has thrown for 973 yards, ranking among the national leaders at 324.3 yards per game.
He’s also thrown nine touchdowns, giving the Bearkats an offense capable of making Texas Tech work.
That makes the return of edge rusher Trey White especially important. White made his Texas Tech debut against Houston after missing the first two games and immediately recorded a sack.
He said this week he feels “pretty much like myself,” a good sign for a Red Raiders pass rush that is starting to show more life.
Texas Tech’s offense has its own issue to solve.
Quarterback Will Hammond threw for 257 yards and a touchdown against Houston, while Kenny Johnson produced 113 receiving yards and a score.
The Red Raiders also got second-half touchdown runs from J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey, giving Joey McGuire the kind of balance he wants.
Sam Houston, however, has quietly improved dramatically on defense.
The Bearkats are allowing just 290.7 yards per game, nearly 193 fewer than last season, and they rank fourth nationally in passing defense at only 110 yards per game.
Texas Tech will again be without cornerback Amier Boyd, who McGuire said will miss the Sam Houston game with hopes of returning next week against Colorado.
Tight end Terrance Carter Jr. is a game-time decision. McGuire said Carter is dealing with an AC sprain after already battling a foot injury.
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White is expected to be available after returning against Houston, while Johnson also played last week after previously appearing on the injury report. Sam Houston does not currently list any major injuries publicly.
Texas Tech is the more talented team, but Sam Houston has enough passing firepower to punish a sloppy afternoon. If Hammond protects the football and the Red Raiders generate pressure on Locke, Tech should have a clear path to 4-0.
WHAT: Sam Houston at No. 11 Texas Tech
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 11 a.m. CT
WHERE: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
TV: TNT and truTV | HBO Max
RADIO: Texas Tech Sports Network | Brian Jensen, John Harris and Chris Level | SiriusXM Channel 177/237, XM App Channel 961
BETTING ODDS VIA DRAFTKINGS
SPREAD: Texas Tech -34.5 (-108) | Sam Houston +34.5 (-112)
TOTAL: 55.5 | Over -110, Under -110
MONEYLINE: N/A
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