5 Questions for Arizona State ahead of its trip to Texas Tech

Arizona State football (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) makes the trip to Lubbock for the second time as members of the Big 12, facing Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0 Big 12). 

The Sun Devil-Red Raider games have marked a budding rivalry between the two schools, as one of the two teams has gone on to win the Big 12 in the two years of the new look of the conference. Last season, Arizona State field stormed after upsetting the Red Raiders.

This is the third time the two schools have played in as many years in this chaotic faceoff of conference foes. The Sun Devils will need to conquer the chaos by relying on their star players. 

1. Can Reed Harris and Omarion Miller torch the weak Texas Tech pass defense?

Texas Tech ranks 128th of 136 FBS teams in pass defense. Only three Power Five teams allow more yards a game than the Red Raiders. The senior wide receiver duo of Reed Harris and Omarion Miller will have to have great games for the Sun Devils to win. Harris ranks 6th nationally in receiving yards per game.

2. Will the third down offense improve?

Arizona State’s third down offense is 129th nationally, converting 29% of its attempts. Texas Tech has a weaker third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert at 39%. Arizona State needs to get into third-and-manageables, rather than the third-and-longs it often sees.

3. Will Cardae Mack have another great game?

Mack had his breakout game last week, where he had the most rushing yards in a game since 2005 by a Sun Devil freshman. Texas Tech ranks 15th in fewest rushing yards per game.

4. Will the kicking game improve?

Sixth-year kicker Carson Smith missed his first kick of the season last week. Senior punter Nick McLarty has struggled. As a team, the Sun Devils rank fourth worst in net punt yards.

5. How will the Sun Devil Defense limit the Red Raiders offense?

The Red Raider offense does not have anything super eye-popping, as they rank 51st in rushing offense and 74th in passing offense. The defense has not been consistent this season.