{"id":22006,"date":"2025-12-06T13:30:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T17:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/texas-tech-football-faces-byu-in-big-12-championship-with-one-teams-playoff-dreams-on-the-line\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T13:30:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T17:30:28","slug":"89562-texas-tech-football-faces-byu-in-big-12-championship-today-with-college-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/89562-texas-tech-football-faces-byu-in-big-12-championship-today-with-college-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Tech football faces BYU in Big 12 Championship with one team’s playoff dreams on the line"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas Tech football<\/b> faces BYU<\/b> today in the Big 12 Championship with everything on the line. The Red Raiders (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) clash with the Cougars (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas<\/b>. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT<\/b> on ABC, and the winner secures an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Texas Tech is ranked No. 4<\/b> in the College Football Playoff rankings and a virtual lock for the playoff even with a loss.<\/li>\n
  • BYU enters as No. 11<\/b> in the CFP rankings and needs a win to secure their playoff spot.<\/li>\n
  • Both teams are 11-1<\/b> overall with identical 8-1<\/b> Big 12 conference records.<\/li>\n
  • Texas Tech defeated BYU 29-7<\/b> earlier this season on November 8, 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Texas Tech Red Raiders Look to Lock in Top-4 Seed<\/h2>\n

    Texas Tech<\/b> arrives in Arlington as the higher seed and heavy favorite. Head coach Joey McGuire<\/b>‘s Red Raiders have dominated since moving to the Big 12. A victory today would likely secure a top-4 seed and first-round bye<\/b> in the 12-team playoff.<\/p>\n

    Quarterback Behren Morton<\/b> has had an impressive season, completing 63.3%<\/b> of his passes for 3,335 yards<\/b> and 27 touchdowns<\/b> against just 8 interceptions<\/b>. The Red Raiders’ offense has been explosive and efficient throughout the campaign.<\/p>\n

    Texas Tech’s defense has proven stout against BYU before. Even a loss wouldn’t eliminate<\/b> Texas Tech from playoff consideration, as the Red Raiders sit too high in the playoff rankings to fall out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Team Matchup<\/td>\nRecord<\/td>\nBig 12 Mark<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Texas Tech Red Raiders<\/b><\/td>\n11-1<\/td>\n8-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    BYU Cougars<\/b><\/td>\n11-1<\/td>\n8-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    November 8 Result<\/b><\/td>\nTech 29<\/b><\/td>\nBYU 7<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    BYU Seeks Upset After Dominant Earlier Loss<\/h2>\n

    BYU<\/b> enters today’s rematch desperate for redemption. Head coach Kalani Sitake<\/b>‘s Cougars were dominated 29-7<\/b> by Texas Tech in their first matchup this season. A win today would give BYU an automatic Conference Championship bid<\/b> and likely punch their ticket to the playoff.<\/p>\n

    The Cougars’ only loss this season came against Texas Tech. High-powered offenses have passed through Arlington before, but BYU will need their passing attack and defense to execute flawlessly.<\/p>\n

    BYU’s opportunity is clear: win and get into the playoff; lose and hope the committee views their 11-1 record<\/b> favorably for an at-large bid.<\/p>\n

    Key Storylines to Watch During Championship Matchup<\/h2>\n

    Morton’s efficiency<\/b> against BYU’s secondary will be critical. Texas Tech has receivers who’ve struggled with depth issues, with WR T.J. West<\/b> and WR Roy Alexander<\/b> listed as OUT<\/b> for today. Defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard<\/b> and cornerback Maurion Horn<\/b> are also unavailable for the Red Raiders.<\/p>\n

    BYU’s defense must generate pressure and limit Big 12<\/b> playmakers. The Cougars want to force turnovers and control time of possession. On offense, BYU’s passing game needs to keep pace with Texas Tech’s scoring potential.<\/p>\n

    The previous meeting was lopsided, but championship games create different dynamics. BYU’s motivation levels will be sky-high as they chase their first College Football Playoff appearance.<\/p>\n

    \n“We want it a lot more,” according to reports from BYU’s camp heading into Saturday’s matchup.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 BYU Coaching Staff<\/b>, Big 12 Championship Preparation<\/p>\n

    Playoff Implications: Who Gets In and What Seeds?<\/h2>\n

    If Texas Tech<\/b> wins, the Red Raiders lock in as at least a No. 3<\/b> or No. 4 seed<\/b> depending on other conference championship results. The Red Raiders would hold a first-round bye<\/b>, making a championship run far more likely.<\/p>\n

    According to playoff projections from USA Today<\/b>, even a Texas Tech loss<\/b> likely keeps them in the Top 4. The Red Raiders would need catastrophic results elsewhere to fall out completely. BYU, however, has everything to lose. An 11-1 loss<\/b> in the Big 12 Championship could mean missing the playoff entirely.<\/p>\n

    The 12-team playoff format means more teams get in historically, but BYU<\/b> certainly can’t afford any slip-ups today.<\/p>\n

    Will BYU Finally Break Through Against Texas Tech on Championship Saturday?<\/h2>\n

    The question hanging over Arlington<\/b> today is whether BYU<\/b> can finish the job after falling 29-7<\/b> in their first meeting. The Cougars’ improvements since that November matchup will be on full display. Texas Tech’s depth limitations at receiver might create opportunities for BYU’s scoring attackers.<\/p>\n

    Texas Tech enters as a clear favorite, but championship games rarely follow the script. Kickoff at 11 a.m. CT<\/b> on ABC<\/b> will determine which team advances to the College Football Playoff with automatic qualification.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Watch the Preview:<\/h3>\n