Texas Tech had its best result of the season against Sam Houston, but it did not earn any respect for the Red Raiders. However, that is mostly due to some unexpected results outside of Lubbock.
LUBBOCK -- Texas Tech earned its most lopsided win of the season on Saturday, as the Red Raiders pitched a second-half shutout of Sam Houston in a 49-14 victory.
Despite the resounding performance that many were waiting to see from Texas Tech, it did not buy the Red Raiders any credit in the mind of voters in the polls.
In the latest release of the Associated Press Top 25, Texas Tech actually slid down one spot to No. 12 after entering the week at No. 11 following a win over No. 22 Houston.
However, Texas Tech is not directly responsible for its drop, as other high-level matchups and ensuing results sent shockwaves around college football in week four.
None of these games had a bigger impact than No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 21 Florida, which saw the Gators tear the Rebels apart in Gainesville 52-28.
That impressive result over the previously undefeated Rebels rocketed Florida up to No. 8, which forced the rest of the rankings to make room for the Gators.
It did not help the Red Raiders that No. 10 LSU handled No. 23 Texas A&M 35-6, which allowed for both the Tigers and Ole Miss, which previously downed LSU, to stay firmly within the top 12.
Even the Tigers saw a slide off that huge ranked win in Baton Rouge, with LSU also going down one slot to No. 11, based on the aforementioned conundrum with Florida and Ole Miss.
Although the Red Raiders were impressive this past weekend and were the victim of some outside forces, there is plenty left to prove for Texas Tech and that starts within the conference.
Texas Tech still remains BYU for the highest ranked team from the Big 12, as the Cougars came in at No. 10. Right behind the Red Raiders, Utah climbed again to No. 13 in another two-spot gain for the Utes.
Houston also rose to No. 20 following a bounce-back win, while Oklahoma State cracked the top 25 for the first time this season at No. 19 after downing West Virginia and boasting a win over now-No. 15 Oregon.
For Texas Tech, it will have the chance to secure its spot as a member of the sport's highest level as it ventures back into Big 12 action this week.
That return to conference play begins this Saturday in the Red Raiders' road debut against Colorado, which is off back-to-back losses. The Buffaloes host Texas Tech in Boulder on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
