Texas Tech Climbs In Coaches Poll After Arizona Win, But Is No. 13 Enough?

Texas Tech football is moving in the right direction again, but the Red Raiders might need more than victories over ranked opponents to convince voters they belong among college football's elite.

Texas Tech climbed one spot to No. 13 in Sunday's US LBM Coaches Poll following its 34-26 victory over No. 22 Arizona, improving to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big 12 play.

MORE: Texas Tech D-Line Won The Battle In The Trenches En Route To 5 Sacks Against Arizona

The Red Raiders also remained No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25, giving Joey McGuire's program a consistent national ranking heading into a critical November stretch.

But there's an interesting question surrounding Texas Tech's position.

With two victories over nationally ranked opponents and just one loss, why are the Red Raiders still sitting behind several two-loss teams?

Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and Ole Miss all occupy spots ahead of Texas Tech in the Coaches Poll despite having two defeats.

The Red Raiders received 962 voting points, trailing No. 12 Ole Miss by 72 points.

It's not necessarily an indictment of Texas Tech's resume, but it demonstrates how difficult climbing the rankings can become once a team suffers a damaging conference loss.

Texas Tech's 37-24 defeat at Cincinnati the previous week knocked the Red Raiders from the unbeaten ranks and raised questions about their offense.

Saturday's response against Arizona was exactly what McGuire needed.

Quarterback Tommy Castellanos replaced Will Hammond in the starting lineup and helped ignite a rushing attack that produced 328 yards.

Castellanos completed 11 of 24 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Running back J'Koby Williams contributed 175 rushing yards, including a 64-yard touchdown that helped secure the victory.

The Red Raiders also extended their home winning streak to 13 games, matching a school record established between 1939 and 1942.

"Respect is earned, it's not given," McGuire said following the victory.

"And champions get off the mat, and we got off the mat today," he added.

Texas Tech now sits behind two other Big 12 programs in the Coaches Poll. Utah climbed to No. 4, while BYU occupies the No. 8 position.

That makes next weekend's showdown between Utah and BYU particularly significant for the conference championship race.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech will get its first indication of how the College Football Playoff selection committee views its resume Tuesday, Nov. 3, when the initial 12-team playoff rankings are released.

Those rankings carry considerably more weight than either national poll because they ultimately determine the playoff field.

The Red Raiders return home Saturday, Nov. 7, to face West Virginia at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

For McGuire and Texas Tech, the formula is becoming increasingly simple.

MORE: Texas Tech's Thomas Castellanos Brings New Life to Red Raiders Offense

Keep winning, strengthen the résumé and give the selection committee fewer reasons to overlook the Red Raiders.

At 7-1, Texas Tech still has plenty to play for. But with November underway, every remaining game carries championship implications.