Texas Tech has firmly established itself as the leading team in the Big 12 following a decisive 29-7 victory against the previously unbeaten BYU. This win, celebrated in front of 60,229 fans at Jones AT&T Stadium, places the Red Raiders in a strong position for the upcoming conference championship.
The Red Raiders operate under a 24-hour rule after games, allowing the team to briefly celebrate victories or process losses before focusing on their next opponent. This practice is not unique to Texas Tech, but it raises questions about whether such a brief time frame is sufficient after a pivotal week that saw them achieve their highest-ever ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, welcome ESPN”s College GameDay, and secure what is arguably the most significant win for the program in nearly two decades.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez emphasized the importance of treating every game as critical, stating, “Every single week is the biggest game of the year. You have to take that approach to be a good team.” Following their latest win, Texas Tech now leads the Big 12 standings, with a record of 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play. They can secure a spot in the conference title game if they win their remaining two regular-season games against teams with a combined three league wins.
Head coach Joey McGuire expressed confidence in his team”s performance, indicating that they expected to win against BYU but are focused on the challenges ahead. “We”ve got a game next week and we”ve got a game against West Virginia. This game right here means nothing other than we went 1-0 against a really good football team,” McGuire stated. He believes there is still room for improvement, despite the significant victory.
Texas Tech”s offense showed some imperfections, managing only four field goals in the red zone and experiencing challenges with quarterback Behren Morton, who completed 17 of 32 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. However, the Red Raiders” defense was stellar, limiting BYU to just one scoring drive until the fourth quarter and maintaining pressure on quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Rodriguez, who led the team with 14 tackles and received commendations from McGuire and teammates, made crucial plays, including an interception and a fumble recovery that helped secure the win. The defense”s ability to contain BYU”s potent offense, which had averaged 35.8 points per game in prior contests, was a testament to their preparation and execution.
With their eyes set on the postseason, the Red Raiders appear poised for a historic run, having transformed under McGuire”s leadership since his introduction four years ago. As they look ahead, the team is determined to continue building on their success.
