This wins comes after the Red Raiders' first-ever Big 12 title game, and next up is its first-ever berth in the College Football Playoffs.
ARLINGTON - By reputation, Texas Tech has long been considered an offense-first program.
Having coaches like Mike Leach and having QBs like Patrick Mahomes will do that to you.
But coach Joey McGuire, in his remaking of what is now the best team in the Big 12, vowed that the 2025 Red Raiders would also be a powerhouse on defense.
And true to his word - as it pretty much standard-operating procedure for competition-loving “weirdo’‘ McGuire - TTU spent Saturday here at AT&T Stadium in Arlington trouncing BYU, 34-7, in the Big 12 Championship Game on its way to the College Football Playoffs.
And yes, Tech did it with offense, the No. 4-ranked team in the country moving to 12-1 with a fine scoring showing guided by QB Behren Morton and his two TD passes.
But keyed by Jacob Rodriguez - who just won the Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker - the Cougars found themselves stifled all day. ... even though they registered the first score of the day and actually owned a 7-0 lead.
Rodriguez finished with 13 total stops and a tackle for loss as the Red Raiders totaled eight of those here. The Red Raiders forced four turnovers in the second half.
BYU has lost just two games all year - both to the Red Raiders, who are making history under fourth-year coach McGuire.
This marks the Red Raiders' first-ever Big 12 title game, and now comes its first-ever berth in the College Football Playoffs.
And if McGuire's guys keep winning? It'll be due to what the Red Raiders can do on both sides of the ball.