Texas Tech saw what SMU did in Year 1 in the ACC and what Arizona State did as new members of the Big 12 and pushed all its chips into the middle of the table ahead of the 2025 season.

The Red Raiders signed one of the top portal classes in America loaded with offensive and defensive linemen. Behren Morton is back to lead an offense that must replace Tahj Brooks, the program’s all-time leading rusher. Mack Leftwich takes over at offensive coordinator and Shiel Wood was hired away from Houston to lead a Red Raider defense that underperformed in 2024. 

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

2024 record: 8-5

Overview

A slow start shouldn’t be a concern in this season as the non-conference schedule consists of home games against Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Kent State, and Oregon State. Business picks up in Big 12 play, however, beginning with consecutive road trips to Utah and Houston. Tech also plays at Arizona State and Kansas State this year. The headliner at home is likely BYU in November. Criminally, the Red Raiders don’t play TCU or Baylor this year. 

Biggest Game – Oct. 18 at Arizona State 

The Red Raiders will likely be favored in their first six games of the season. The first time Joey McGuire’s team could be an underdog is in a mid-October trip to Arizona State to face the defending Big 12 champions – a team Texas Tech beat at home last year.  

Trap Game – Sept. 20 at Utah 

Texas Tech is 6-10 in true road games through three years of the Joey McGuire tenure. The first trip outside of Lubbock for his Red Raiders in 2025 is to Utah in Week 4. The Utes should return to form after a disappointing Year 1 as a Big 12 squad.  

Upset Bid – Nov. 1 at Kansas State 

Texas Tech lost by nine points the last time the Red Raiders traveled to Manhattan, Kansas, to face the Wildcats. Beating a physical squad away from Jones AT&T Stadium has proven difficult for Texas Tech over the last few years. Joey McGuire is 0-2 versus Kansas State as a head coach. 

Can’t Lose – Sept. 20 at Utah 

Texas Tech enters the season with Big 12 championship aspirations and losing the first game of the conference slate would be a devastating blow to momentum. The Red Raiders are 6-10 on the road under McGuire and the trip to Utah is also the first time they’ll play away from Jones Stadium in 2025. The narratives will be narrating if Tech falters in this one. 

Most Important Stretch – Oct. 18 – Nov. 8

Texas Tech plays four games during this stretch and those matchups will likely determine whether the Red Raiders make it to Arlington to play for the Big 12 crown. The first stop in this stretch is at Arizona State. They play at Kansas State on Nov. 1. The two home games during this time are against Oklahoma State on Oct. 25, and BYU on Nov. 8. 

Full Schedule

Aug. 30                 Arkansas Pine-Bluff    W
Sept. 6                  Kent State          W
Sept. 13               Oregon State   W
Sept. 20               at Utah                 W
Oct. 4                     at Houston        W
Oct. 11                 Kansas                 W
Oct. 18                 at Arizona State              L
Oct. 25                 Oklahoma State             W
Nov. 1                    at Kansas State              L
Nov. 8                    BYU        L
Nov. 15                 UCF       W
Nov. 29                 at West Virginia              W