Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are about to head west to meet up with the Big 12's reigning champs. A legitimate College Football Playoff contender from a season ago, the Arizona State Sun Devils aren't quite matching what they accomplished a season ago, but they're still a team that Texas Tech can't afford to overlook.
And it really seems like the head coach of the Red Raiders is well aware of that fact.
During a recent press conference, McGuire noted how important Texas Tech's Week 8 matchup with Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils is for the Red Raiders. McGuire also made it clear that he believes that Dillingham and Arizona State are very focused on this game and what it might hold for them.
And there's no way that isn't somehow informed by the fact that Texas Tech beat the Sun Devils a season ago.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire is preparing for a 'really tough game' as the Red Raiders face the Arizona State Sun Devils
"It's a huge week for us," McGuire said. "We're playing the reigning Big 12 champs, going to their place."
As McGuire noted that, he also pointed out how he respects the head coach of the Sun Devils and the way that Dillingham has worked to rapidly improve Arizona State while he's been leading the folks out in Tempe.
"I know Kenny will have them ready to go, I expect a really loud crowd," McGuire continued. "He's done a phenomenal job, I think he's one of the brightest young coaches in the game right now and has really turned a program around from his first year into what he's done."
And it's absolutely worth bringing up that Arizona State was good last year and is still pretty solid this season.
"We're expecting a really tough game," McGuire said.
It absolutely should be. It's a little disappointing that Arizona State isn't unbeaten, the Sun Devils have suffered losses to the Mississippi State Bulldogs (who actually might be better than a lot of folks expect) and then the Utah Utes (but this loss was one that was incredibly lopsided and unfortunate to watch).
Still, it's a game that could have a solid impact on the Big 12 landscape this season.
"I'm really excited," McGuire noted. "This is going to be an incredible game and it's going to be great for the Big 12."