Red Raiders Surge into Top 10,Prepare for Homecoming Clash with Kansas
LUBBOCK,Texas – Texas Tech football has reached new heights,cracking the top 10 in both major polls following a dominant 35-11 victory over Houston. The Red Raiders now stand at No. 9 in the Associated Press rankings and No. 10 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
This marks Texas Tech’s highest ranking since October 20, 2013, when the team was also ranked in the top 10 during a 7-0 start under then-head coach Kliff Kingsbury. It’s the program’s best AP ranking since December 7, 2008, when they where ranked No. 8 and preparing for a Cotton Bowl appearance.
The red Raiders boast a perfect 5-0 record, mirroring their strong start from 2013. Notably, they are one of only 15 undefeated teams nationally and the only one to achieve all victories with a margin of 20 or more points.
Texas Tech is also just the fourth Big 12 team to begin a season with at least five consecutive wins by 24+ points, joining Texas (2008), Oklahoma (2008), and Baylor (2015).This level of consistent dominance – five straight wins by at least 24 points – is unprecedented in program history.
The team’s success echoes a similar stretch in the 1953-54 seasons, when they closed 1953 with five consecutive victories by 20+ points and continued the trend into the start of 1954. In 1953, nine of their eleven wins came by a margin of 20 or more points, setting a program record.
Texas tech’s rise in the polls, from a preseason ranking of No.23, has been fueled by remarkable performances, including a 34-10 road win over previously undefeated Utah to open Big 12 play. This marks only the second time in program history the Red Raiders have secured consecutive road wins to begin conference play, a feat last accomplished in 1976 when they shared the Southwest Conference title with a 7-1 league record.
This Saturday, the Red Raiders (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) will host Kansas (4-2, 2-1) for their Big 12 home opener at a sold-out Jones AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with national television coverage on FOX and radio broadcast on the texas Tech sports network.
