Whatever happens, the BYU-Texas Tech game will go down in history. This is how

 Whatever happens, the BYU-Texas Tech game will go down in history. This is how

83 years ago, the Cougars and Red Raiders played each other for the first and only time.

This article is a part of the Flashback Friday series by the Deseret News sports team, which looks back on significant events involving Utah teams.

No matter what happens in their Saturday matchup in Provo between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and BYU Cougars, the two teams will create history.

According to TexasTech.com, this is the first time Texas Tech will play a collegiate football game in Utah. All of the prior contests between the school and BYU, Utah, Utah State, and Weber State took place on the Red Raiders' home field.

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The fact that Texas Tech and BYU haven't met in so long makes this weekend's matchup noteworthy as well. They had only ever met once before, on October 18, 1940, 83 years ago.

According to Texas Tech's website, the 83-year gap between games between BYU and Texas Tech is the third-longest among teams playing each other in 2023.

Only Nevada-USC (94 years) and Louisiana Tech-Jacksonville State (84 years) are able to close the 83-year deficit.

History of the BYU-Texas Tech series

Despite the fact that most of the 1940 match between Texas Tech and BYU has been lost to history, it is known that the Red Raiders prevailed 21-20.

The game's close outcome is remarkable since BYU concluded the 1940 campaign at 2-4-2, according to CougarStats, while Texas Tech finished the campaign at 9-1-1, good for 10th place overall among 121 college football teams.

7,000 spectators saw the 1940 match, according to CougarStats. Sports Illustrated reports that more than 60,000 people will be in attendance for the rematch this weekend in Provo.

The win would create history in a number of different ways if the Cougars can defeat the Red Raiders in front of a large and boisterous home crowd.

It would be BYU's first victory against the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.

It would be BYU's first victory against an established Big 12 team since entering the league.

It would be the first time a football team from Utah defeated the Red Raiders. (Texas Tech has a perfect record versus Weber State's Utes, Aggies, and Wildcats).