Texas Tech Hosts Sam Houston Saturday in Lubbock

Overview

• The game is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. ET at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock and will air on TNT/truTV with J.B. Long, Mike Golic Jr. and Allie LaForce on the broadcast team.
• Texas Tech enters ranked No. 11 and 3-0 after a close win over Houston that featured a midgame switch to Will Hammond, whose return has restored the Red Raiders' passing explosiveness.
• Sam Houston is 1-2 but arrives riding a 59-0 rout of Nicholls and a sudden vertical passing surge from quarterback Landyn Locke, who has thrown for roughly 335, 316 and 322 yards in his three starts and nine touchdowns overall.
• The matchup centers on passing attack versus pass coverage because Texas Tech has allowed about 273 passing yards per game while Sam Houston limits opponents to a 43.8 percent completion rate and features cornerback Ishmel Atkins with five pass deflections.
• Beyond Saturday's scoreline, the game offers Texas Tech a chance to reinforce its College Football Playoff credentials and gives Sam Houston a national showcase to validate its rapid improvement before beginning Conference USA play.