Texas Tech remains a Big 12 contender despite quarterback drama, thanks to a loaded defense, elite line play and Will Hammond’s upside.
Texas Tech football is still sitting near the top of the 2026 Big 12 race, but the Red Raiders’ path to a conference championship suddenly feels a lot more chaotic.
After spring ball, Tech looks talented enough to win the league. It also has the one question that can wreck everything ... quarterback.
That’s what makes this offseason so fascinating in Lubbock.
The Red Raiders entered the year looking like one of the safest bets in the Big 12, but Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility situation after a reported gambling investigation has thrown the offense into uncertainty.
CBS Sports offered it's Big 12 post-spring power rankings, and the Red Raiders fell to No. 2 behind BYU.
Texas Tech still carries massive respect in the market, with FanDuel listing the Red Raiders at +110 to win the Big 12, the best odds in the league.
That says plenty.
This roster isn’t being written off because Joey McGuire has built one of the most physical groups in the conference. The defense might be the best in the Big 12, especially after Texas Tech attacked the transfer portal and stacked its defensive front.
In a league loaded with quarterback questions and weekly chaos, controlling the line of scrimmage is still the fastest way to survive.
The offensive line could be just as important. Tech has a chance to field one of the strongest fronts in the country, and that gives the Red Raiders a real floor even if the quarterback situation takes time to settle.
Now all eyes turn to Will Hammond.
If Hammond is healthy and takes the jump coaches believe he can make, Texas Tech doesn’t just belong in the Big 12 title conversation. It may belong at the front of it.
The Red Raiders don’t need him to be a superhero every Saturday. They need efficiency, toughness, ball security and enough explosive throws to keep defenses honest.
That’s manageable with this supporting cast.
The biggest issue is that the Big 12 won’t wait for Tech to figure itself out. BYU has returning stars like LJ Martin, Faletau Satuala and Isaiah Glasker.
Houston is dangerous with Conner Weigman. Arizona has Noah Fifita. TCU has breakout potential with Jaden Craig.
Still, Texas Tech has something most of the league doesn’t ... real trench dominance on both sides.
That’s why the Red Raiders remain scary. The quarterback drama is loud, but the roster is louder. If Hammond steadies the offense, Texas Tech could turn a messy offseason into a championship run.
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16. Iowa State
15. Colorado
14. West Virginia
13. Cincinnati
12. UCF
11. Baylor
10. Kansas
9. Kansas State
8. Oklahoma State
7. Arizona State
6. TCU
5. Utah
4. Arizona
3. Houston
2. Texas Tech
1. BYU
