National outlets have coalesced around a bullish view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders heading into the upcoming season, positioning the program as the clear favorite to capture the Big 12 title and to mount a deep run in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Preseason Rankings
Analysts place the Red Raiders anywhere from ninth to thirteenth in the national polls, with ESPN’s College Football Power Index slotting them at No. 10, while CBS Sports and The New York Times/Athlon Sports both rank them ninth and tenth respectively.
What underpins the optimism is a unit built around a stout defense and a ground attack that consistently ranks among the most efficient in the conference, giving the team a high floor even when the passing game is still a work in progress.
Quarterback Outlook
The health of quarterback Will Hammond, who is still recuperating from an ACL injury, emerges as the pivotal variable; coaches have indicated he will be ready for the season opener if his recovery proceeds without setbacks.
Observers note that while the Red Raiders are expected to win the conference again, they sit just outside the top ten in some preseason magazines, a reflection of the departures of key skill players that have tempered the overall hype.
Phil Steele’s preseason magazine ranks Texas Tech No. 13, underscoring the divergence between statistical models and traditional rankings, yet most agree the team’s profile aligns with the power‑four programs — Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas and Oregon — that are projected to dominate the championship conversation.
Ultimately, the consensus is that Texas Tech’s ceiling hinges on securing elite, healthy quarterback play in the postseason, a factor that could tip the balance between a strong playoff appearance and a genuine title chase.