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No. 8 Texas Tech entered the season with lofty expectations of making the College Football Playoff after investing heavily in the transfer portal during the offseason. More News: Brian Kelly Made His Intentions Clear in Obtained LSU Firing Email The opportunity for the Red Raiders to make the CFP will likely be decided by the outcome of Saturday’s contest against No. 7 BYU. Following a 26-22 upset loss to Arizona State on Oct. 18, TTU needs to win the Big 12 championship to secure a spot in the CFP. It’s unclear if the CFP would put in two Big 12 programs, even with the talent the Red Raiders possess. LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Joey McGuire of the Texas Tech Red Raiders stands on the field for “The Matador Song” after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) More News: LSU Linked to Ultimate Anti-Brian Kelly Candidate Before Saturday’s contest against the Cougars, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire addressed his future with the program during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday. McGuire stated that he plans to stay with TTU until his coaching career is over. “Man, I’m a Texan. I ain’t never lived anywhere else,” McGuire said. “I was born in Texas, and I’ll die in Texas, and hopefully not anytime soon. But I’m gonna die a Red Raider. I’ll be here for the rest of my life.” McGuire is 31-17 overall and 21-12 in Big 12 play in his fourth year at Texas Tech and in his first stint as a head coach. The Red Raiders are 8-1 before Saturday’s game, and a win over BYU would be the first time the team has won nine games in a single season under McGuire. Part of Texas Tech’s appeal to McGuire is Lubbock, which he credits as a true “college town.” “This is a true college town. It is built around this university,” McGuire said. “And so, like, this town is a true college town, and everywhere you go, you’re gonna see the Double T, and there’s a great pride in their football.” The Red Raiders have not won a conference championship since claiming the Southwest Conference in 1994 under then-head coach Spike Dykes. Saturday’s game against the Cougars could go a long way in making McGuire a Lubbock hero and putting the program in position to have its best season ever. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
