The No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders are turning heads nationwide as they push toward what could be the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance. Long known for explosive offenses and high-scoring shootouts, this 2025 team has added something fans haven’t seen in Lubbock for a long time: real defensive strength.
Texas Tech enters the week averaging 42.6 points per game, the fourth-best scoring offense in the country. It’s drawn natural comparisons to the legendary 2008 squad led by Graham Harrell and two-time Biletnikoff winner Michael Crabtree, a team remembered for lighting up scoreboards and shocking the college football world.
But this year’s Red Raiders bring more balance than that iconic group. Texas Tech also ranks second nationally in scoring defense, giving up very little and closing out games with confidence. That combination, elite offense paired with one of the nation’s toughest defenses, is why both casual fans and die-hards are buying into this team’s playoff potential.
Their résumé has the quality wins to match the hype. Victories over ranked opponents like BYU and Utah have silenced any doubts that Texas Tech is simply beating up on weaker teams. These are statement wins that carry weight with the selection committee and prove the Red Raiders can handle physical, disciplined competition.
If Texas Tech continues this level of play, they won’t just make the playoff, they’ll be a real threat to win it. The Red Raiders are no longer a fun, pass-happy novelty. They’re a complete football team chasing something bigger.
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