'Going To Be Great Football!' Texas Tech's Joey McGuire on Arizona State

LUBBOCK -- Texas Tech wrapped up its bye week and the newly minted No. 10 Red Raiders are set to take on Arizona State in Lubbock on Saturday.

Fresh off the rest and relaxation, Texas Tech is hoping to also have found answers for some key problems that have plagued the team despite its perfect 5-0 start.

This includes particularly sluggish starts that have made each of its prior five outings much closer than anticipated in that first half.

The offense has also been a notable point of concern, with those questionable first halves being tied primarily to turnovers and an inability to generate any sort of momentum.

Nonetheless, the Red Raiders stand as only one of nine unbeaten squads in the entirety of the FBS and have the chance to secure that status for another week against the Sun Devils.

But that will not be the easiest task for Texas Tech, even if it is able get those issues ironed out.

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Arizona State entered rarefied air last season as the only team in the Big 12 and only one in the regular season to do any damage on the Red Raiders in a 26-22 upset loss in Tempe.

That was a bit of revenge on the part of the Sun Devils, as Texas Tech knocked them off in Lubbock two years ago before they went on to win the Big 12 Championship themselves.

Ahead of the latest matchup between the two closely matched foes, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire gave his thoughts on the Homecoming bout.

"If you look at the last two games we've played, we're one and one against Arizona State. Both have come down to the wire. They've been really physical games, so we're expecting that," explained McGuire.

"That's our goal, to stay undefeated and that puts us in a good position. It's going to be great football."

McGuire was also candid about the team's shortcomings thus far, although he was not excited to be discussing them again.

"I don't even want to say this word. I'm going to try to never use it again except maybe this moment, the negative is our self-inflicted wounds in the first half."

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While McGuire is expecting on being tested one way or another, he is also expecting to see his team reach a turning point in front of a raucous crowd in Galaxy Stadium.

"The good things I think we have [are] some really good, efficient runs that we're going to be able to hang our hats on. And then I do think we're trending in a good direction defensively...we are causing turnovers, that needs to continue," said McGuire.

These highlights will need to be at their brightest for Texas Tech in the first test to close out its schedule, not only to earn the win but prove this team can reach the same heights as last year.

No. 10 Texas Tech and Arizona State will square off inside Galaxy Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.