After a superb 2025 season, the Red Raiders fell short, but can Joey Maguire's side be better than last year?
Texas Tech had itself a good 2025 season, posting a 12-2 record and winning the Big 12 championship over BYU.
Yes, they did get curb-stomped by Oregon 23-0 in the Orange Bowl, but that didn't take any of the shine off of what they accomplished in 2025.
But now, looking ahead to the new season, as Will Hammond is set to be the starter at quarterback, can the Red Raiders become one of the better teams in college football?
Well, for most, Joey McGuire's team definitely has the potential to be, and after last season, the expectation is that the Red Raiders make it back to the Orange Bowl and give a better account of themselves.
With another offseason to build the program and to improve on what was accomplished in 2025, there is every reason to think that Tech can be a better team.
And it appears ESPN has high hopes for Texas Tech as well, in ranking the best college teams, the Red Raiders come in at No. 11.
"Coming off a CFP appearance, Texas Tech has bigger hopes after a shutout loss to Oregon in the Orange Bowl last season, and Hammond is the man in the spotlight," ESPN wrote.
That is easily within Tech's grasp, isn't it?
A defense that is absolutely loaded with talent, and a run game that can become this team's one-wood, the Red Raiders are setting up nicely to have a serious tilt at the Big 10 title.
Of course, the health of Hammond and how he fares will be a key watch here as he was a bit-part player last season.
Now, he's the guy to lead McGuire's offense and is coming off an ACL injury as well, so there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the offense.
But it appears that ESPN isn't too bothered by it, and having Texas Tech as the 11th-best team in college football isn't too bad.
But by the end of the 2026 season, I'd imagine it will be within McGuire's grasp to have this team much higher in the rankings, if everything goes well, come this time next season.
