Texas Tech Faces Arizona State With Five Players Out For Big 12 Clash

Texas Tech football returns from its bye week Saturday with an undefeated record, a top-10 national ranking and unfinished business against Arizona State.

But the Red Raiders will have to navigate several injuries to keep their perfect season intact.

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No. 10 Texas Tech enters the Homecoming showdown at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play, while Arizona State comes to Lubbock at 3-2 and 1-1 in conference competition.

The biggest injury concern for Joey McGuire's team involves running back Cameron Dickey, who's expected to miss multiple games with a high-ankle sprain suffered against Colorado.

Dickey is one of five Red Raiders ruled out, joining wide receiver Donte Lee Jr., cornerback S'Vioarean Martin, safety Maddox Quiller and offensive lineman Elias Gillen.

Backup quarterback Thomas Castellanos, receiver Jalen Jones, cornerback Ashton Hampton and offensive lineman Hunter Zambrano have been listed as questionable.

There is encouraging news for the Red Raiders, however, with linebacker Adam Hill and offensive lineman Cash Cleveland upgraded to probable in the latest available reporting.

Without Dickey, Texas Tech will lean more heavily on Quinten Joyner and J'Koby Williams, who has rushed for 373 yards this season.

Quarterback Will Hammond, meanwhile, has thrown for 1,102 yards and will face an Arizona State secondary missing several contributors.

The Sun Devils have ruled out defensive backs Lyrik Rawls and Jalen Williams, offensive lineman Marques Uini and wide receiver Harry Hassmann.

Offensive lineman Luke Baklenko is doubtful, while running back Grayson Rigdon and defensive lineman Kirk Vakalahi are questionable.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham also faces a difficult challenge getting quarterback Cutter Boley ready for a Texas Tech defense that forced four interceptions in its 29-7 victory over Colorado.

"This will be a big test for him," Dillingham said of Boley, emphasizing the importance of protecting the football against a defense built around creating turnovers.

That matchup could ultimately decide the game.

Texas Tech has allowed just 16.2 points per contest, while Arizona State has surrendered 27.8. The Red Raiders also enter Saturday riding an 11-game home winning streak.

But McGuire hasn't forgotten last season's 26-22 defeat in Tempe, when Arizona State handed Texas Tech one of its most frustrating losses.

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The Sun Devils have already demonstrated they can challenge the Red Raiders, and their 30-12 victory over Hawaii last weekend provided some momentum heading into Lubbock.

Still, Texas Tech's defensive advantage, home-field environment and ability to create turnovers should prove decisive.