Can return of key receiver help No. 7 BYU hang with No. 8 Texas Tech on road?

PROVO — The biggest game on the schedule is always the next one, but in the case of No. 7 BYU, the cliche is more true than ever.

The Cougars travel to west Texas for arguably the biggest game of the week in college football, a top-10 tilt with No. 8 Texas Tech that will have a significant impact on both the Big 12 title race and the College Football Playoff.

Both teams facing off for just the third time in series history Saturday (10 a.m. MST, ABC) were part of the first initial field projected by the CFP selection committee Tuesday night in what will be the first top-10 showdown in BYU history.

The key for the Cougars (8-0, 5-0 Big 12), then, is to keep the main thing the main thing.

“I feel like every game, the emotions are always the same,” said cornerback Evan Johnson, who leads the No. 16 scoring defense in the country with 29 tackles, six passes defended, and three interceptions. “Just be ready, and when our time comes, go out there and make a play.

“Whether the game is the biggest game or a little game, we’re always going in with that mindset to dominate and win the game. With our team and how we’ve prepared, that’s always emphasized and how we practice.”

Playing against what offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick calls the best defense the Cougars have faced this season — the Red Raiders (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) allow just 271.3 yards and 13.2 points per game — BYU will also bring back a key offensive component.

That would be Jojo Phillips, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound wide receiver who has been out with an apparent clavicle injury in the third game of the season.

“Jojo’s ready to roll,” Roderick said emphatically. “He’s been practicing for weeks. We’re super excited to have him back.”

The redshirt sophomore who started the first two games of the season gives the Cougars a key threat alongside veterans Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston, with Cody Hagen emerging in his sophomore season.

“He’s a great player, and it’s just another weapon that we have on the field now,” said Kingston, describing Phillips as a long, athletic pass catcher with burst. “They can’t cover all three of us, and I’d like to see them try.”

LJ Martin is also expected to continue to power the ground game against a stout Red Raider front. The junior from El Paso, Texas with more than 2,000 career yards has 789 yards and five touchdowns on the year after leading BYU in rushing in both 2023 and 2024.

But after leaving the Cougars’ 41-27 win at Iowa State before halftime, his status was in question. Head coach Kalani Sitake said he practiced during the bye week, and Roderick confirmed as such while also noticing the emergence of former safety Preston Rex in the position.

“He’s doing everything, playing well, and becoming a more complete running back every day,” Roderick said of Rex, who rotated with Enoch Nawahine in the backfield in Martin’s absence (along with the legs of quarterback Bear Bachmeier). “He hasn’t been a running back for very long, but he’s a super athlete and he’s doing a really good job.”

BYU expects to be without running back Sione Moa, cornerback Marcus McKenzie and defensive tackle Anisi Purcell, according to the conference-mandated availability report.

Tommy Prassas, the sophomore safety who has transitioned to nickel in Jay Hill’s scheme, also remains doubtful, leaving Jonathan Kabeya and Tayvion Beasley at nickel and safeties Tanner Wall, Raider Damuni and Faletau Satuala to defend against prolific Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton.

“I think they’re good in every position group,” Hill said. “They’re very balanced; can run it, can throw it. And they’re veterans; they’ve got a lot of players who have played a lot of college football reps.

“We definitely have our work cut out for us.”