Man, if you grew up a Red Raider, you know the drill. It’s usually a roller coaster of "we’re back" followed by "maybe next year." But honestly, the texas tech schedule 2025 wasn't just another year on the calendar. It was the year Joey McGuire’s vision finally clicked into place. If you weren’t in Lubbock or glued to a screen this past fall, you missed the most historic run in the history of the program.
Twelve wins. A Big 12 Championship trophy sitting in the case. A trip to the Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff. Seriously, who saw that coming in August?
Most folks looking at the 2025 slate early on saw a front-loaded home schedule and thought, "Okay, maybe 8 or 9 wins." But this team had other plans. They basically tore through the Big 12, finishing 12-2 overall and 8-1 in the conference. Let's break down how that actually happened, because the way the schedule fell was a huge part of the strategy.
The "Lubbock Lockdown" Start
The season kicked off with a rare luxury: three straight home games at Jones AT&T Stadium. In the modern era of college football, having a full month where you don't have to pack a suitcase is huge.
It started on August 30 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. It was a 67-7 blowout that felt more like a padded practice. Then came Kent State on September 6, another easy 62-14 win. By the time Oregon State rolled into town on September 13, the hype was building. Tech handled them 45-14.
The point of these three games wasn't just to rack up stats. It was about chemistry. Behren Morton, finally healthy after dealing with that nagging shoulder, looked like a surgeon. He had 5-star wideout Micah Hudson back in the fold, and the connection was almost telepathic. Starting 3-0 at home gave the young guys confidence before the schedule turned mean.
That Brutal Road Stretch
Everything changed on September 20. Tech had to go to Salt Lake City to face Utah. Most experts picked the Utes to win the Big 12, but the Red Raiders went into Rice-Eccles and basically silenced the crowd with a 34-10 statement win. That was the "oh, they're for real" moment.
After an off-week (which was perfectly timed, by the way), the road tests kept coming:
- October 4 at Houston: A 35-11 win that felt like a home game because of how many Tech fans traveled.
- October 18 at Arizona State: The only real "oops" of the regular season. A 22-26 loss in Tempe that almost derailed the dream.
- November 1 at Kansas State: A cold, windy 43-20 victory that proved the Red Raiders could win "Big 12 style" in the trenches.
Going 4-1 on the road in this conference is unheard of. McGuire’s "Brand" of tough, physical football was finally showing up on the scoreboard, not just in locker room speeches.
Navigating the November Gauntlet
The back half of the texas tech schedule 2025 was a gauntlet of familiar Big 12 names. Oklahoma State came to Lubbock on October 25 and got absolutely shut out, 42-0. I can’t remember the last time the Pokes didn’t score a single point, but the "Shiel Wood" defense was just on another level.
Then came the BYU game on November 8. This was a slugfest. BYU was playing great ball, but Tech squeezed out a 29-7 win. A week later, UCF visited the Jones and left with a 48-9 loss.
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By the time the regular season finale at West Virginia rolled around on November 29, the Red Raiders had already clinched a spot in the title game. They didn't coast, though. They won 49-0 in Morgantown. Two shutouts in one season? In the Big 12? That’s wild.
The Big 12 Championship and Beyond
On December 6, 2025, the Red Raiders walked into AT&T Stadium in Arlington for a rematch with BYU.
It wasn't even close.
Tech won 34-7, claiming the program’s first-ever Big 12 title. The win secured a spot in the College Football Playoff, specifically the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day against a massive Oregon team. Even though the season ended with a 0-23 loss to the Ducks in Miami, the foundation was laid.
Why the 2025 Roster Clicked
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about who was playing. Behren Morton threw for over 3,300 yards. Micah Hudson stayed home and became the superstar everyone expected. But honestly, the defense was the real story.
Coming into 2025, Tech’s secondary was... well, it was a sieve in 2024. McGuire went "nuclear" in the portal, bringing in length and experience. Guys like Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez at linebacker were everywhere. They weren't just stopping the run; they were dictating the pace of the game.
The Impact of Stability
For the first time since the Mahomes era, the quarterback position didn't feel like a revolving door. Having Morton start every game of the regular season provided a level of stability that allowed offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich to really open up the playbook. They weren't just running the "Air Raid"; they were running a sophisticated, balanced attack that averaged nearly 40 points a game.
What to Do Now
If you’re a fan looking to relive the magic or prepare for the 2026 season, here are your next steps:
- Renew your season tickets early. After a 12-win season, Jones AT&T Stadium is going to be sold out every single week.
- Follow the Transfer Portal closely. McGuire mentioned in his recent media availability that they are "reloading, not rebuilding," specifically looking for defensive line depth and a veteran linebacker to replace outgoing seniors.
- Check the 2026 Non-Conference Schedule. With the Oregon State home-and-home continuing, the level of competition isn't dropping anytime soon.
- Support the NIL collectives. Part of keeping talent like Micah Hudson in Lubbock involves the "Matador Club" and other local initiatives.
The 2025 season was a fever dream for Red Raider Nation, but looking at the way the schedule was navigated, it was a masterclass in program building. Wreck 'Em.