To the extent people have been paying attention to Texas Tech football lately, much of that attention has been diverted to the coaching search that ended Monday with Joey McGuire being hired to take over the program at the end of the season.
The rest of the coaches and players remain focused on becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. They've been one victory away since beating Kansas four weeks ago.
"With the upperclassmen, I feel like we want that pressure," wide receiver Erik Ezukanma said. "I want that pressure to bring a bowl game to this team and the school for (the first time in) a long time now. I'm ready for thes e next three games."
More: 13 things you need to know for Texas Tech vs. Iowa State football game
There's no obvious and easy sixth win left. Tech (5-4, 2-4 in the Big 12) hosts Iowa State (6-3, 4-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by games against No. 10 Oklahoma State (8-1, 5-1) and No. 18 Baylor (7-2, 4-2).
The Cyclones have beaten the Red Raiders each of the past five years. While Tech had its first open date of the season last week, Iowa State blew out Texas 30-7.
Here is how Tech and ISU match up:
Texas Tech running back SaRodorick Thompson has celebrated scoring seven touchdowns in the past five games, but Thompson and the Red Raiders have a tough assignment Saturday against Iowa State's 11th-ranked rushing defense.
When Tech runsDaylight could be hard to find for Tech's three-man RB tandem of SaRodorick Thompson, Tahj Brooks and Xavier White. They've rushed for 346, 340 and 280 yards, respectively, with 15 touchdowns among them. But Iowa State ranks fourth in the FBS in total defense (282.4 yards per game) and 11th in rushing defense (101.9). Rugged LB Mike Rose was named a Lombardi Award finalist this week, and LB Jake Hummel has a team-high 57 tackles. The Cyclones have allowed only one individual 100-yard rushing performance in 16 games, by West Virginia RB Leddie Brown two weeks ago. Advantage: Iowa State
When Tech passesTexas Tech wide receiver Erik Ezukanma pulls in a touchdown pass during the Red Raiders' 31-15 loss last season at Iowa State.
Redshirt freshman QB Donovan Smith will get his first college start unless Tyler Shough is deemed ready to return from the broken collarbone he suffered seven weeks ago. One or both will try to get the ball to WRs Erik Ezukanma (40 catches, 631 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Kaylon Geiger (32-455-1), but pass protection is vital. Iowa State DE Will McDonald, with 10 1/2 sacks last year and 10 this year, has the most sacks in the FBS since the start of 2020. And DT Enyi Uwazurike is not far behind with 7 1/2 sacks this season. They wrecked shop last week against Texas with 2 1/2 sacks apiece. With safeties Greg Eisworth and Isheem Young patrolling, ISU leads the Big 12 in pass defense. Advantage: Iowa State
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When ISU runsIowa State running back Breece Hall is the FBS' third-leading rusher and has a 21-game streak with at least one rushing touchdown, which is tied for third-longest in FBS history .
Big 12 rushing leader Breece Hall (198 carries, 1,121 yards, 14 touchdowns) has 19 career 100-yard performances, and his 21-game streak with a rushing touchdown is tied for third in FBS history. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior has had his way against Tech, carrying 19 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns two years ago in Lubbock and 27 times for 135 yards and two TDs last year in Ames. Tech has held six of nine opponents under 100 yards rushing, but Texas ran for 336 yards on the Red Raiders and TCU for 394. LB Colin Schooler ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 68 tackles. Advantage: Iowa State
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When ISU passesIowa State quarterback Brock Purdy has completed at least 80 percent of his passes in four games this year, most in the FBS.
Brock Purdy's completion rate of 72.9% is tied for fourth in the FBS, and he's completed better than 80% in an FBS-best four games this season. The nine-game numbers for second-year Blinn College transfer WR Xavier Hutchinson (60 catches, 686 yards, five TDs) are about what he put up for a full season last year. The Cyclones frequently operate with two- or even three-tight end sets, and TE Charlie Koler has been a thorn in Tech's side. The 6-6, 260-pound senior has four touchdowns against the Red Raiders. Tech's 107th-ranked pass defense has given up a Big 12-high 22 TD passes. DBs Reggie Pearson and Adrian Frye could return from injury, which helps. Advantage: Iowa State
Texas Tech cornerback DaMarcus Fields (23) breaks up a pass for Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson during last year's game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. Hutchinson has caught 60 passes for 686 yards this season, and Fields has six pass breakups, second most in the Big 12.
Special teamsTexas Tech's gotten quality work this season from kicker Jonathan Garibay (10 for 10 on field goals), punter Austin McNamara (45.5-yard average) and its coverage units minimizing the impact of good return men on a near-weekly basis. Iowa State K Andrew Mevis has stood out making 15 of 17 field goals, including 9 of 11 from 40 yards and longer. Neither team has made a lot happen in the return game, though Tech's Myles Price has a 27-yard punt return. Baylor all-purpose player Trestan Ebner nicked the Iowa State coverage units for a 41-yard punt return and a 98-yard kickoff-return touchdown. Advantage: Texas Tech
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: College football: Texas Tech-Iowa State: How They Match Up