LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech football surged to No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, released Tuesday, marking the program’s highest ranking as joining the Big 12 Conference.The Red Raiders (9-1) have won eight consecutive games, including victories over three currently ranked teams: BYU (No. 11), utah (No. 12),and Houston (No. 23). Their only loss came on Oct. 18 at Arizona State (No. 25).
The Red Raiders’ recent success is anchored by a defense currently ranked No. 3 nationally, allowing just 12.3 points per game. Thay secured back-to-back single-digit scoring victories against North Texas (13-7) and Louisiana (26-0) – a feat not accomplished as 2000. This is the first time Texas Tech has achieved such a defensive performance in conference play as its final season in the Southwest Conference in 1995.
Texas Tech’s CFP ranking comes as the team prepares for its final regular-season game at West Virginia on Nov. 29, following an open date on Nov. 22.The Red Raiders can clinch a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 6 this weekend wiht a loss by Arizona State,and a BYU win over Cincinnati,or with losses by Arizona State,BYU,and Utah.
the CFP selection committee will meet again next monday and Tuesday before unveiling its next rankings on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:00-6:30 p.m. CT. The final rankings and 12-team playoff bracket will be revealed on Selection Day, Sunday, Dec. 7.
The 12-team playoff format seeds the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams. Teams ranked Nos. 5-12 will compete in the CFP First round, with the higher seeds hosting. Quarterfinal and Semifinal games will rotate among the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
