Texas Tech football has worked too hard to climb into the College Football Playoff conversation to let an unranked opponent wreck its season in November.

But that's exactly the danger facing No. 15 Texas Tech when the Red Raiders (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) welcome West Virginia (5-3, 2-3) to Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock on Saturday night.

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Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central on ESPN, and while Texas Tech enters as a heavy favorite, the Mountaineers bring an offense capable of turning this matchup into a shootout.

The biggest question for Joey McGuire's team starts at quarterback.

Thomas Castellanos will make his second consecutive start after replacing Will Hammond and helping Texas Tech defeat then-No. 22 Arizona 34-26 last weekend.

Castellanos rushed for 117 yards against the Wildcats, giving the Red Raiders another weapon in an offense that produced 328 rushing yards.

However, Texas Tech needs more consistency through the air, particularly with its receiving corps dealing with injuries.

Jalen Jones and Malcolm Simmons are out, while Kenny Johnson has been working through an injury concern. That creates opportunities for younger receivers but also puts additional pressure on Castellanos to make accurate throws.

West Virginia's defense presents an inviting matchup, allowing 317.9 passing yards and 483.9 total yards per game.

The bigger concern might be the Mountaineers' offense.

Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has thrown for 1,598 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions while adding 836 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

Running back Cam Cook has contributed 923 rushing yards and seven scores, helping West Virginia average 261.6 yards on the ground.

Texas Tech counters with a rushing defense allowing just 94.9 yards per game.

The Red Raiders also held Arizona to only 12 rushing yards last weekend, an encouraging sign before facing one of the Big 12's most dangerous backfields.

West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez understands the challenge.

"They've got NFL guys at every level," Rodriguez said, praising a Texas Tech defense he considers loaded with professional-caliber talent.

Still, West Virginia has won two straight games and enters Saturday rested following a bye week.

Texas Tech also has history within reach. A victory would extend its home winning streak to a school-record 14 games.

More importantly, it would keep the Red Raiders firmly involved in the Big 12 championship race and preserve their College Football Playoff ambitions.

For McGuire, the assignment is straightforward: avoid another sluggish start, contain Hawkins and make West Virginia chase the game.

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Because at this stage of the season, simply being the more talented team isn't enough.

Texas Tech has to prove it.

Source: Yahoo Sports