Texas Tech is proving to be a serious contender for The College Football Playoff.

Aaron Patrick Lenyear

Texas Tech is emerging as a legitimate College Football Playoff threat image

Texas Tech Red Raiders Football, 11/19/2025

TL;DR

  • Texas Tech Red Raiders ranked fifth nationally, aiming for first College Football Playoff berth.
  • 2025 squad features potent offense and formidable defense, unlike past teams.
  • Team boasts impressive wins against BYU and Utah, proving playoff contention.
  • Well-rounded Red Raiders are a championship contender, not just an offensive curiosity.

The fifth-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders are garnering national attention as they aim for what might be the program's inaugural College Football Playoff berth. Historically celebrated for their potent offenses and high-scoring games, the 2025 squad has introduced an element long absent in Lubbock: formidable defensive prowess.

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.

However, this year's Red Raiders exhibit greater equilibrium compared to that memorable squad. Texas Tech also holds the second spot nationally in scoring defense, conceding minimal points and finishing games with assurance. This synergy, an outstanding offense coupled with one of the country's most formidable defenses, is the reason both casual observers and dedicated supporters are embracing this team's prospects for the playoffs.

The team's track record boasts significant victories that align with the considerable buzz surrounding them. Their triumphs against highly-rated teams such as BYU and Utah have effectively dispelled any notions that Texas Tech is merely defeating less competitive squads. These are impactful wins that resonate with the selection committee, demonstrating the Red Raiders' capability to contend with physically strong and well-coached opponents.

Should Texas Tech maintain this standard of performance, they'll not only secure a playoff spot but also emerge as a genuine contender for the championship. The Red Raiders have evolved beyond a mere entertaining, pass-oriented curiosity. They now stand as a well-rounded football squad pursuing a more significant objective.

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