MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Player availability is going to play a big role in the outcome of today's West Virginia-Texas Tech game at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
 
The Mountaineers are curious to find out who Texas Tech (3-3, 1-2) is going to start at quarterback – redshirt freshman Behren Morton or sophomore Donovan Smith.
 
Morton got the starting nod two weeks ago against Oklahoma State and threw 62 passes, completing 39 for 379 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-31 loss to the Cowboys. But he was also hobbled by an ankle injury in the second half that severely limited his mobility.
 
Smith started games two through five in place of week-one starter Tyler Shough, who got injured early in the Murray State game and hasn't played since. Smith has been dealing with a shoulder issue that ultimately forced him to the sidelines against Oklahoma State. He attempted just one pass and only played a couple of snaps against the Cowboys.
 
Red Raider coach Joey McGuire said earlier this week that Morton and Smith will be ready to go today, and veteran Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reporter Don Williams indicated on Monday that Morton appears to have the "inside track" on starting today's game.
 
Two week's-worth of healing could also see some other hobbled Red Raider players regain their health, such as No. 1 wide receiver Myles Price, slowed by an ankle injury in the first quarter of the Oklahoma State loss. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior shows 31 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.
 
West Virginia, too, has been dealing with plenty of injuries. Neal Brown said on his weekly Thursday night radio show that defensive end Sean Martin and cornerbacks Wesley McCormick and Rashad Ajayi will be game-time decisions this afternoon. Martin, McCormick and Ajayi sustained injuries during the Baylor game.
 
Brown also mentioned that week one starting corner Charles Woods could be available for limited duty today and that would be welcomed news to a West Virginia secondary that has experienced a rash of injuries so far this season.
 
Woods is considered the Mountaineers' best cover corner. 
 
CJ Donaldson, who exited the Texas game with a concussion and missed the Baylor game for precautionary reasons, should be good to go for the Red Raiders. Brown indicated Tuesday that versatile offensive lineman Jordan White will also be on the trip and should be available for action.
 
Andrew Wilson-Lamp, who was ejected from the Baylor game for a targeting penalty, is required to sit out the first half of today's game after West Virginia's appeal to lift his first half suspension was denied by the Big 12.
 
The Mountaineers (3-3, 1-2) last won in Lubbock in 2018 (42-34) and won there in 2016 and 2014.
 
Today's game will be the third time Brown is facing the Red Raiders at a preparation disadvantage. Tech was coming off open weeks in its wins over West Virginia in 2019 and 2020 and will have a five-day prep advantage heading into this afternoon's clash following WVU's Thursday night victory over Baylor on Oct. 13.
 
Here is today's Countdown to Kickoff:
 
10 – The Mountaineers have had TEN 300-yard passing performances under coach Neal Brown, including two this year.
 
9 – WVU's defense has intercepted at least one pass in NINE of its last 16 games and 25 of its last 45.
 
8 – West Virginia has had at least EIGHT interceptions in seven straight seasons since 2015. The Mountaineers have a pair of interceptions through six games so far this year.
 
7 – West Virginia has had SEVEN 500-yard total offensive performances under Brown, including three times this season (Kansas, Towson and Baylor).
 
6 – WVU quarterbacks have completed at least 20 passes in all SIX contests so far this season.
 
5 – West Virginia has tallied at least 30 points in FIVE of its 10 meetings against Texas Tech since the two began playing on a yearly basis in 2012.
 
4 – The Mountaineers have won three of their last FOUR games in Lubbock (2018, 2016 and 2014).
 
3 – West Virginia is the only Big 12 team to have THREE receivers ranked in the top 10 in receptions per game in conference action – Bryce Ford-Wheaton (third), Kaden Prather (fourth) and Sam James (10^th).
 
2 – WVU has the SECOND-ranked rushing defense in the Big 12 this week, permitting an average of just 112 yards per game.
 
1 – The Mountaineers rank FIRST in the Big 12 in time possession by holding onto the football for an average of 32:52 per game. That figure ranks 13^th nationally.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET) and the contest will be televised nationally on FS1 (Noah Eagle and Mark Helfrich).
  
Mountaineer Sports Network radio coverage begins with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show at noon leading into regular network coverage with Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace and Jed Drenning at 2 p.m. on stations throughout West Virginia, online via WVUsports.com and the popular mobile apps WVU Gameday and the Varsity Network.
 
WVU holds a narrow 6-5 advantage in all-time series play.