(Photo: Clutchpoints)
Saturday Spotlight
(17) Texas Tech Red Raiders at (16) Utah Utes
Texas Tech (2-0)
If you like offense and video game-like numbers, this is a team you should find yourself watching a bit more. Now, I know their wins have come against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Kent State, and Oregon State—three teams that aren’t exactly powerhouses—but I always say: you play who’s on your schedule, and you beat who’s in front of you. In each of those three games, the Red Raiders scored 67, 62, and 45 points, respectively, showing they love to light up the scoreboard any chance they get. Texas Tech is currently the highest-scoring team in the country, averaging 58 points per game. Leading this high-flying attack is quarterback Behren Morton. At 6’2” and 209 pounds, Morton has a live arm and spreads the football around to whoever’s open. If he trusts you and you’re open, he’ll look your way. He wants to attack vertically, and he’s done just that. So far this season, Morton has thrown 11 touchdown passes with just one interception. It’s been a struggle in Lubbock over the last few seasons, but the Red Raiders have one clear goal in mind: win nine games for the first time since the 2009 season. Head coach Joey McGuire has something brewing, and this year’s team feels different. They have depth, experienced veterans, and have made smart additions via the transfer portal. Today, they face their first true test against Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Utes in the Big 12 opener.
Utah (2-0)
I really like this Utah team. Kyle Whittingham always gets the most out of his players year in and year out. Even when key players like Cam Rising were sidelined with injuries last season, his teams continued to play hard—a clear sign they’re fully bought in to their head coach. 2024 was a tough season for the Utes, ending with a losing record. That led Whittingham to bring in Jason Beck as the new offensive coordinator and to take full advantage of the transfer portal by adding Devon Dampier as the new QB1. Dampier was a steady presence at New Mexico, and now that he’s in a bigger conference, he’s showing just how capable he is. On film, Dampier is a pocket-savvy quarterback—a rare trait in college football, where mobility is often emphasized. He stands tall, keeps his composure, and only takes off when the opportunity truly presents itself. He’s also quick with his reads and keeps the offense moving at a brisk pace. So far, he’s thrown seven touchdowns with zero interceptions. What draws me to this team is their physicality. They like to play the bully role—slowing the game down and dictating the tempo. Whittingham never asks his teams to play outside their identity, and that discipline continues to define Utah football. This afternoon, they begin their conference schedule.
Texas Tech X-Factor: David Bailey
While the Red Raiders have impressed offensively, they’ve been just as consistent on the defensive side. I’ve mentioned several elite linebacker tandems this year—like Anthony Hill and Colin Simmons (Texas), or Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins (LSU). Texas Tech has its own in Romello Height and David Bailey. Bailey is a transfer portal gem found by McGuire, and he’s paying off. Texas Tech currently ranks second in the nation against the run, and Bailey is a big reason why. He’s a versatile defender who can both rush the passer and shut down the run. I love his speed off the edge—he wins his matchups with pure quickness.
Utah X-Factor: Spencer Fano
The Utes arguably boast the best offensive line in college football, and Spencer Fano might be the next great NFL offensive lineman to come out of Utah. He’s dominant and demands extra attention on every snap. Fano is a big man with nimble feet, capable of pushing defenders completely out of the play. While many fans love the nasty streak in offensive linemen, Fano plays with a smooth, composed style—and it works for him. Last season, he allowed just 14 quarterback hits all year. Today, he’ll be tested by a stingy Texas Tech defense that will rotate different looks and players at Dampier.
Final Thoughts:
This is a fantastic matchup to open the Big 12 schedule. It’s the kind of game that will reveal a lot about both teams moving forward, as each faces a real test today. The quarterback battle between Behren Morton and Devon Dampier is a fascinating one—two transfer QBs making big impacts for their new programs. A key matchup I’m watching is Texas Tech’s run defense versus Utah’s powerful ground game. The Utes are averaging 290 rushing yards per game, while the Red Raiders have been excellent at stopping the run. For Texas Tech: Maintain discipline in gap integrity and set the edge to contain big runs, disrupt Dampier’s rhythm by getting pressure and forcing mistakes & attack Utah’s secondary, which has shown some vulnerability against high-powered offenses and they will see one today in these Red Raiders. For Utah: Lean on your offensive line, the strength of your team, to control the clock and tempo, utilize Dampier’s dual-threat ability—designed QB runs and read-options could keep Tech’s defense off balance & pressure Morton—force him into quick decisions. Look for guys like Jonah Ellis and Landon Barton to step up. This will be a physical, trench-heavy game—which is exactly the kind I love to watch and break down. I think Utah edges out a hard-fought win.
