Texas Tech will host TCU on Thanksgiving night at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN, putting the Battle for the Saddle Trophy in a national TV window.
Texas Tech football is getting a major Thanksgiving stage for its 2026 regular-season finale.
The Red Raiders’ Battle for the Saddle Trophy matchup against TCU is set for 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, Nov. 26, at Jones AT&T Stadium, with ESPN carrying the game nationally.
The kickoff time and TV assignment were announced Tuesday during Disney’s annual upfront presentation in New York City.
It’s a big scheduling win for Texas Tech, which will be the only college football game played on Thanksgiving Day.
That gives the Red Raiders a standalone national spotlight in a rivalry game that could carry serious Big 12 Championship stakes.
Texas Tech is trying to return to the Big 12 title game in Arlington for a second straight season, and a late-November matchup with TCU could have plenty riding on it.
The Big 12 Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
The Thanksgiving setting also brings some history. TCU will be the first Thanksgiving Day opponent to visit Jones AT&T Stadium since Arkansas beat Texas Tech 17-14 in 1977.
The Red Raiders’ last Thanksgiving night game came in 2015, when they stunned Texas in Austin behind Patrick Mahomes II’s 372 passing yards, DeAndre Washington’s 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus a late trick play involving Jakeem Grant.
Texas Tech leads the all-time series with TCU 33-31-3. The Red Raiders are also 3-0 in Thursday night meetings against the Horned Frogs since TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012.
The TCU game is Texas Tech’s second confirmed 2026 kickoff time. The Red Raiders’ Big 12 opener against Houston is also set for 7 p.m. CT on Sept. 18 at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech has sold out its full season-ticket allotment for the fourth straight year, adding even more juice to a Thanksgiving night rivalry showcase.
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