November 08, 2026 | Football
Texas Tech jumped to No. 10 in both the coaches and AP polls Sunday after 53-48 win over West Virginia
LUBBOCK, Texas โ Texas Tech returned to the top 10 of both the Associated Press and U.S. LBM coaches polls Sunday following a wild 53-48 victory Saturday night over West Virginia. The Red Raiders moved to No. 10 in both polls after improving to 8-1 on the season.
This is the third time this season the Red Raiders (8-1; 5-1 in Big 12) have appeared in the top 10 of both major polls and the first time since Week 8 prior to their lone loss at Cincinnati. This is the 28th-consecutive week the Red Raiders have been ranked in both polls dating back to the start of the 2025 season, their longest streak in school history.
The Red Raiders moved up three spots in both polls and are now the second-highest ranked Big 12 team behind No. 2 Utah. The conference has five teams ranked in this week's polls as BYU dropped to No. 12 in the AP followed by Houston at No. 14 and Arizona at No. 22 overall. Texas Tech's opponent this week, Oklahoma State, is receiving votes in both polls.
The positive push back into the top 10 will hopefully translate to a similar move Tuesday night when the College Football Playoff selection committee releases its next set of rankings at 8 p.m. CT. The Red Raiders were No. 15 in the committee's debut rankings, two spots behind where the Associated Press voters had them a week ago.
With Utah's win over BYU this past weekend, the Red Raiders now control their own destiny in returning to the Big 12 Championship in Arlington. Texas Tech needs to win its next three games to be able to defend its title, beginning this Saturday at Oklahoma State.
The Big 12 Conference announced earlier Sunday that kickoff between the Red Raiders and Cowboys will be at 8:30 p.m. CT from Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Coverage will be provided on ESPN and the Texas Tech Sports Network.
