Texas Tech and Iowa State. It's not the Red River Rivalry. It isn't "The Game." But honestly? If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated Big 12 weirdness, Texas Tech vs ISU is exactly where you want to be.
Think about it. We’ve seen everything from 66-point blowouts to 62-yard game-winning field goals that felt like they defied the laws of physics. It’s a matchup where the home team usually has a massive advantage, yet the road team keeps finding ways to ruin seasons.
Most people look at the record books and see a series that Texas Tech leads 14-8 on the football field. But that doesn't tell the whole story. Not even close. You have to look at the "streaks." This series is basically a game of "my turn to dominate." Tech won the first four. Then Iowa State won five in a row. Now, the Red Raiders are currently riding a three-game winning streak.
It’s messy. It’s loud. And if you’re a fan of either team, it’s probably given you at least three different heart conditions.
The 2024 Heartbreaker and the Power of Tahj Brooks
Let’s talk about November 2, 2024. If you’re an Iowa State fan, skip this paragraph. It hurts.
Iowa State came into that game ranked #11 in the country. They were undefeated. They were looking at a potential playoff run. And then Texas Tech showed up in Ames and basically said, "No thanks."
It was a dogfight. The kind of game where every yard feels like a mile. With only 20 seconds left on the clock, Texas Tech’s RB Tahj Brooks took a direct snap. He didn't just run; he willed himself into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown. Tech won 23-22.
That one play didn't just win a game. It made Texas Tech bowl eligible and effectively ended Iowa State's dreams of an undefeated season. It was the smallest margin of victory in the entire history of the series. Just one point. That’s the margin between glory and "better luck next year."
Why the "Seneca Wallace Run" Still Matters
You can’t talk about Texas Tech vs ISU without mentioning 2002. Even if you weren't born yet, or you weren't a fan back then, you’ve seen the clip.
Seneca Wallace. 12 yards.
On paper, it was a 12-yard touchdown run. In reality, Wallace probably ran about 130 yards to get there. He circled back, cut across the field, dodged about six different Red Raiders, and somehow found the pylon. It’s widely considered one of the greatest plays in college football history.
"He must have run a quarter mile on that play," is how one commentator put it at the time.
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It was Iowa State’s first-ever win against Texas Tech. Before that, the Red Raiders had owned the series. That play changed the energy of the matchup forever. It proved that ISU wasn't just a "scheduled win" for the heavy hitters in Texas.
The Weird Stat: 66-10 and 66-31
Here is a fact that sounds like it’s made up: In back-to-back years (2015 and 2016), one team scored exactly 66 points.
In 2015, Texas Tech put up 66 in Lubbock. Patrick Mahomes was the quarterback (yeah, that Mahomes). He was just a sophomore, and he absolutely torched the Cyclones.
Then, in 2016, the series moved to Ames. The score? 66-10... in favor of Iowa State.
How does that even happen? How do you go from winning by 35 to losing by 56 in 12 months? That is the essence of this rivalry. It’s unpredictable. One year you’re the hammer, the next year you’re the nail. There is no middle ground.
Hardwood Battles: The 2025-2026 Outlook
While the football rivalry is built on big plays and weather-beaten stadiums, the basketball side of Texas Tech vs ISU is a completely different animal. We’re talking about two of the most hostile environments in the country: United Supermarkets Arena and Hilton Coliseum.
In January 2025, the Iowa State women’s team handled Tech 71-58. It was a clinical performance. But the men's side? That's where things get really spicy.
Take the February 2025 matchup. Iowa State won a 85-84 thriller in overtime. One point. Again.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the schedule makers are giving us some gems:
- January 28, 2026: ISU vs Texas Tech (Women)
- February 28, 2026: Texas Tech @ Iowa State (Men)
The February 28th game is already circled on every calendar in Ames. It’s late in the season. Seeding for the Big 12 tournament will be on the line. Expect a lot of noise. Expect a lot of floor slapping. Expect at least one coach to lose their voice.
The Transfer Portal Era: Changing the Faces
Rivalries aren't just about the jerseys anymore; they’re about who is wearing them. And in the modern era, that changes every single year.
Joey McGuire has been a master of the portal at Texas Tech. Landing guys like Malcolm Simmons (transfer from Auburn) has given the Red Raiders a vertical threat they haven't had in years. Meanwhile, Iowa State is dealing with the fallout of success. When you play well, people want your players.
There are even rumors about star tight end Benjamin Brahmer being a target for big programs like Penn State. If Iowa State loses their core pieces to the portal, the dynamic of the 2025 and 2026 matchups shifts entirely.
Key Series Facts at a Glance
- First Meeting: 1967 (Texas Tech won 52-0).
- Total Football Record: Texas Tech leads 14-8.
- Home Field Advantage: Tech is 9-3 at home; ISU is 5-5 at home.
- Longest Winning Streak: 5 games (Iowa State, 2016-2020).
- Most Recent Game: Texas Tech won 23-22 (Nov 2, 2024).
What This Means for the Future
Because of the new Big 12 scheduling, these teams don't play every single year in football anymore. In fact, they aren't scheduled to meet in 2025. That’s a massive bummer for fans who love the chaos.
However, they are emerging as the two most consistent "thorn in your side" teams in the conference. If you want to win the Big 12, you usually have to go through Lubbock or Ames. And as we saw with Utah getting hammered by Tech in 2025 (34-10), neither of these places is friendly to newcomers.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on catching the next round of this rivalry, here’s what you need to do:
- Watch the 2026 Basketball Schedule: The February 28th men's game in Ames will likely determine a top-4 seed in the Big 12. Get tickets early because Hilton Coliseum will sell out in minutes.
- Monitor the Portal: Keep an eye on where Big 12 players are moving this spring. If Texas Tech continues to land 4-star transfers, they are the dark horse for the 2026 football title.
- Appreciate the History: Go back and watch the 2021 game where Jonathan Garibay hit a 62-yard field goal to win it. It’s still the longest kick in Texas Tech history. It happened against Iowa State. Of course it did.
This rivalry doesn't need a fancy trophy or a corporate sponsor name. It just needs a ball and a little bit of Big 12 magic. Whether it's on the turf or the court, when these two schools meet, something weird is going to happen. You can bet on that.