Big 12 Title Game: BYU Faces Do-or-Die Challenge vs. Texas Tech
The stakes couldn’t be higher for BYU this Saturday in Arlington. Sitting at 11-1, the Cougars know exactly what’s on the line when they square off against No.
4 Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game: win, and they’re likely dancing into the College Football Playoff. Lose, and they’re probably on the outside looking in.
“We know what’s at stake,” said quarterback Bear Bachmeier. “We are really excited.”
That excitement comes with a heavy dose of pressure. BYU needs this win to secure the Big 12’s automatic bid into the 12-team CFP field. A second loss to the Red Raiders-who already handled the Cougars 29-7 earlier this season-would likely relegate BYU to a New Year’s Six bowl at best.
Texas Tech: Dominant and Dangerous
Texas Tech, on the other hand, has a bit more breathing room. At 11-1 with a résumé that includes 11 wins by at least 20 points and a nation-leading average margin of victory (35.2 points), the Red Raiders are widely expected to be in the playoff regardless of Saturday’s outcome. A win, however, could vault them into a top-four seed and a coveted first-round bye.
Their lone blemish? A narrow 26-22 loss at Arizona State back on October 18, a game they played without quarterback Behren Morton, who was sidelined with a lower-leg injury.
Even with that loss, head coach Joey McGuire is confident in his team’s playoff credentials-and BYU’s too.
“Without a doubt, we should both be in the playoffs, no matter what happens on Saturday,” McGuire said. “We are as good as anybody in the country, and we’re going to put on a great game.”
Round Two: Redemption or Repeat?
The last time these two met, it wasn’t close. Texas Tech’s defense stifled BYU, holding them to a season-low 255 total yards.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was everywhere-snagging an interception, recovering a fumble, and helping keep Bachmeier under constant pressure. The Cougars’ quarterback finished with 188 yards and a touchdown, but turned the ball over twice, including a backward pass that Rodriguez pounced on.
Rodriguez, who’s quietly putting together a Heisman-caliber season, leads the nation with seven forced fumbles. Add in four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 10 tackles for loss, and a team-high 101 tackles, and you’ve got one of the most disruptive defenders in college football.
Despite his dominance in the first matchup, Rodriguez isn’t taking BYU lightly.
“They do a really good job of running the football,” he said. “They don’t get sacked a lot.
That’s a credit to their game plan. I’m excited to play high-level football.”
BYU’s Rebound and Road Back
Since that loss to Texas Tech, BYU has responded with three straight wins, each by an average margin of 21 points. The Cougars are playing some of their best football at the right time, and they’ll need every bit of that momentum to flip the script on Saturday.
Both teams finished 8-1 in Big 12 play, but if BYU is going to avenge their earlier loss, they’ll need to control the line of scrimmage, protect the football, and find ways to slow down an explosive Red Raiders offense.
Coaching Stability Adds to the Moment
Both programs made headlines this week for reasons beyond the field. On Tuesday, each school announced long-term contract extensions for their head coaches-a sign of confidence in the direction of their programs.
Texas Tech extended McGuire through 2032, with his salary eventually climbing north of $7 million annually. It’s a bold commitment, but one that reflects the Red Raiders’ rise under his leadership.
“We expect to continue to elevate this program where appearances in the Big 12 title game, like this Saturday, and the College Football Playoff are expected on an annual basis,” McGuire said.
BYU, meanwhile, locked in Kalani Sitake with a deal reportedly worth over $9 million per year, after he turned down interest from Penn State. Sitake has led the Cougars to back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time since 2006-07, and he’s not done yet.
“This is good for the stability and future of BYU football,” Sitake said. “I’m excited about our future.”
Like McGuire, Sitake believes both teams deserve a spot in the CFP.
“I’m looking forward to both teams representing the Big 12 in this playoff, and doing it the right way,” he said.
Quarterback Watch: Morton’s Mobility Improving
Morton threw for 219 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting with BYU, but he also took a season-high four sacks. Since returning from injury, he’s been practicing in a protective boot, but that’s about to change.
“Wednesday we’ll take off the boot, put some cleats on and move around a little bit,” Morton said. “And then Friday, for our fast Friday practice, stay in cleats.”
If Morton’s mobility is back, that’s a huge boost for Texas Tech’s offense. But if BYU can replicate the pressure they applied last time, they might just have a shot at flipping the narrative.
The Bottom Line
For Texas Tech, Saturday is about seeding and statement-making. For BYU, it’s about survival and seizing a golden opportunity.
One game, two playoff-caliber teams, and a Big 12 title on the line. Arlington’s about to host one of the biggest matchups of the college football season-and both squads know exactly what’s at stake.