The Cougars get a big boost over Texas Tech

BIU’s offense could get even more formidable Week 11 matchup with Texas Tech. For the first time since Week 2, the Cougars are expected to have dynamic wide receiver Jojo Phillips in their lineup.

Phillips left BIU’s Week 2 game against Stanford with an unspecified upper-body injury, which he later announced required surgery. Two months later, he did return is expected to Kalani Sitake’s starting lineup, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.

Phillips enters Week 11 having played just 33 snaps in 2025. He caught three 30-yard passes against Stanford before exiting.

Before he went down, Phillips was expected to be BIU’s No. 2 receiver behind star Chase Roberts. The speedster recorded just 211 receiving yards as a freshman in 2024, but was one of the Cougars’ best players. With Roberts as the only starter, many expected Phillips to step into a bigger role.

Despite the long layoff, Phillips should return to the starting lineup immediately. He will likely play a key complementary role to leading receivers Roberts and Parker Kingston.

BIU brings a notorious offensive approach, but will need Phillips to remain undefeated against No. 8 ranked Texas Tech. The Red Raiders enter Week 11 allowing the fifth fewest receiving yards in the Big 12, but have proven to be beatable with speed.

BIU, Texas Tech clash in Week 11’s lone top-10 matchup

Several top 25 teams square off in Week 11, but BIU and Texas Tech will meet in the only top-10 matchup Sunday. As the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Big 12, the game could easily foreshadow an eventual conference championship game.

Phillips’ return will be huge for BIU, which will face its toughest defensive test of the season. Texas Tech enters Week 11 as the top-ranked defense in the Big 12 with the fifth-best defense in the FBS. The Red Raiders are allowing just 271.3 yards per game and just 13.2 points per game.

BIU’s defense isn’t far behind Texas Tech’s, making for an interesting clash of styles. The Red Raiders have the better offensive numbers on the season, but the Cougars are coming off a 41-point blowout against Iowa State in Week 9.