Honestly, if you blinked during the fourth quarter of the last TCU vs Texas Tech game, you probably missed three lead changes and a heart attack. College football in the Big 12 has always been a bit chaotic, but the 35-34 thriller at Amon G. Carter Stadium was something else entirely. It wasn't just a win for the Horned Frogs; it was a total collapse for the Red Raiders and a masterclass in "it ain't over 'til it's over."
We've seen some weird stuff in this rivalry—remember the 82-27 blowout back in 2014?—but this one felt personal. It was about the Battle for the Saddle Trophy, sure, but it was also about two teams trying to figure out if they were actually contenders or just middle-of-the-pack placeholders.
The TCU vs Texas Tech Score That Nobody Saw Coming
Halfway through the third quarter, things looked bleak for Fort Worth. Texas Tech was up 31-14. Red Raiders fans were already looking up where to buy victory shirts. Will Hammond was carving up the secondary, and Tahj Brooks was doing Tahj Brooks things—basically turning every short gain into a punishing run that wore down the TCU defensive front.
But then, the momentum shifted. It didn't just tip; it fell off a cliff.
TCU started chipping away. A one-yard plunge by Jeremy Payne made it 31-21. Then, after a Tech field goal pushed it to 34-21, Josh Hoover found his rhythm. If you haven't watched Hoover play, the kid is gutsy. He threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns, but he also had three turnovers. That’s the Josh Hoover experience: you get the brilliance, but you’ve gotta stomach the mistakes.
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The real dagger? The 84-yard bomb to Eric McAlister with about five minutes left.
McAlister caught it, found a seam, and just... gone. The stadium went from a nervous library to a riot in about four seconds. That single play flipped the TCU vs Texas Tech score to 35-34. Tech had chances to answer, but a late fumble sealed their fate. It was a brutal way to lose if you’re from Lubbock, but a legendary comeback if you bleed purple.
Why the Saddle Trophy Rivalry Hits Different
People outside of Texas sometimes forget how much these two schools dislike each other. It’s not the Red River Rivalry, and it’s not the Holy War, but it’s gritty. They play for a literal saddle. The "West Texas Championship" is a point of pride that dates back to the 60s, disappeared for a while, and then came back in 2017 to remind everyone that geography matters.
Texas Tech leads the all-time series 33-31-3, but TCU has been the dominant force lately. Before Tech took the 2023 matchup, TCU had won four straight. This 2024 result just keeps the pendulum swinging.
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What’s wild is how the scoring patterns have evolved. We went from 3-3 ties in 1979 (yes, that actually happened) to games where both teams regularly clear the 30-point mark before the fourth quarter even starts. The 2024 game was the perfect microcosm of the modern Big 12: high stakes, explosive offenses, and defenses that occasionally feel like they’re optional until the final two minutes.
Breaking Down the Key Performers
You can’t talk about the TCU vs Texas Tech score without talking about Savion Williams. The guy is a Swiss Army knife. He had a 35-yard touchdown run and a 75-yard touchdown catch. When TCU’s offense was stagnating in the first half, he was basically the only reason they stayed within striking distance.
On the other side, Tahj Brooks was a workhorse. 121 yards on 30 carries. He’s the kind of back that coaches love—reliable, tough, and somehow always moving forward. If Tech had managed to milk just two more minutes off the clock by feeding Brooks, we’d be talking about a very different final score.
Recent History of the Matchup
To get a sense of how close this rivalry has stayed, just look at the last few years. It's almost always a coin flip.
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- 2024: TCU 35, Texas Tech 34 (The Hoover Comeback)
- 2023: Texas Tech 35, TCU 28 (Lubbock was rocking for this one)
- 2022: TCU 34, Texas Tech 24 (The year TCU went to the Natty)
- 2021: TCU 52, Texas Tech 31 (Total offensive explosion)
The common thread? If you're betting on the under in this game, you're probably going to have a bad time. These teams like to score, and they like to do it fast.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Rematch
Here is the kicker: we don't get a 2025 matchup on the football field. Because of the way the Big 12 scheduling rotation works now with the expanded conference, these two are taking a break until 2026. It’s honestly a bit of a tragedy for Texas football fans.
Joey McGuire has been building something interesting in Lubbock, and Sonny Dykes is trying to recapture that 2022 magic in Fort Worth. Not having this game on the calendar for a year feels like a missed opportunity to settle the score while the 2024 sting is still fresh for the Red Raiders.
However, the rivalry hasn't cooled down in other sports. In January 2026, the basketball teams went at it, with Texas Tech edging out TCU 82-79. It seems like no matter the sport, the score is always going to be within a single possession.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this rivalry or trying to keep track of the TCU vs Texas Tech score trends for future matchups, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Both programs are heavy users of the portal. A huge chunk of the production in the 35-34 game came from players who started their careers elsewhere (like McAlister).
- Home Field Advantage is Real: TCU has a much better record against Tech when playing in Fort Worth. If you're looking at the 2026 game, check the venue first.
- The "Savion Williams" Factor: Look for how TCU uses their hybrid players. Dykes loves moving WRs into the backfield, and Tech’s defense struggled to adjust to those looks.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Texas Tech lost the 2024 game because they settled for field goals when they should have had touchdowns. In a one-point game, those three-point drives are essentially losses.
The next time these two meet on the gridiron, expect fireworks. The 35-34 score wasn't a fluke; it's the standard for these two programs. Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule releases later this year to see exactly when the Battle for the Saddle returns.