Texas Tech, Arizona Set For Early Halloween Top-25 Showdown In Lubbock

Texas Tech football has a Halloween date with Arizona, and the stakes could be enormous for two programs chasing a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff consideration.

The eighth-ranked Red Raiders will host No. 25 Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. CT at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock. The Big 12 announced the kickoff time Monday, with either ABC or ESPN carrying the game nationally. The final television assignment will be announced following this weekend's games.

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For Joey McGuire's undefeated Red Raiders, the matchup offers another opportunity to strengthen their postseason resume.

Texas Tech improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play following Saturday's convincing 53-25 victory over Arizona State.

Quarterback Will Hammond threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, while running back J'Koby Williams exploded for 165 rushing yards and two scores on just 11 carries.

The Red Raiders also recorded six sacks and forced two turnovers, continuing to demonstrate the balance that has fueled their unbeaten start.

Arizona isn't arriving without credentials of its own.

The Wildcats are 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 competition, with their only defeat coming against second-ranked BYU.

It's Arizona's best six-game start since 2014, and the Wildcats have earned their first appearance in this season's AP Top 25.

But the Halloween kickoff creates an additional wrinkle.

With Arizona operating on Mountain Standard Time, the 11 a.m. start in Lubbock translates to 9 a.m. for the Wildcats' home time zone.

That early start could become another challenge for a team traveling into one of the Big 12's most demanding environments.

History also favors Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders defeated Arizona 28-22 in Tucson during the 2024 season, the schools' first meeting as Big 12 opponents. Texas Tech holds a 27-5-1 advantage in the overall series.

However, McGuire can't afford to let his team look ahead.

The Red Raiders travel to Cincinnati this Saturday for another 11 a.m. CT kickoff, with FS1 providing national coverage.

A victory would preserve Texas Tech's perfect record and potentially set up one of Halloween weekend's biggest games.

Arizona must also handle its upcoming home matchup against Iowa State.

The Red Raiders have limited tickets remaining for their final three home games, including visits from West Virginia on Nov. 7 and TCU on Thanksgiving night.

MORE: Texas Tech, Arizona Set For Halloween Top-25 Showdown In Lubbock

For a Texas Tech program pursuing its first Big 12 championship since joining the conference, every remaining game carries significance.

The Halloween matchup could become a national showcase, but only if McGuire's team takes care of business in Cincinnati first.