The Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies finally met again on the gridiron in Austin, and while the rivalry doesn’t have the same Big 12 implications it once did, the outcome still managed to shake up the college football landscape - especially for Texas Tech.
Texas handed Texas A&M a 10-point loss, and while that win doesn’t directly impact the Red Raiders’ season, it did move the needle in their favor when it comes to national perception and, more importantly, the latest Coaches Poll rankings.
Heading into the weekend, Texas Tech was sitting just behind the Aggies in the rankings. But that changed quickly after the Red Raiders dominated West Virginia in a 49-0 shutout on the road - a statement win that left no doubt about where this team stands right now. Combine that with A&M’s stumble in Austin, and suddenly Texas Tech finds itself in elite company.
Coaches Poll, Week 15: Texas Tech climbs to No. 6
The latest Coaches Poll has Texas Tech firmly inside the top 10, jumping up to No. 6 - a significant move that reflects both their own performance and the shifting landscape around them. Here’s how the Top 25 shakes out this week:
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Oregon Ducks
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- BYU Cougars
- Vanderbilt Commodores
- Miami Hurricanes
- Texas Longhorns
- Utah Utes
- Virginia Cavaliers
- USC Trojans
- Michigan Wolverines
- James Madison Dukes
- North Texas Mean Green
- Tulane Green Wave
- Arizona Wildcats
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Navy Midshipmen
Texas Tech’s leap to No. 6 isn’t just about beating West Virginia - it’s about how they did it. A 49-point shutout on the road is the kind of performance that demands attention, and the Coaches Poll voters clearly took notice. The Red Raiders have built momentum at the perfect time, and with the postseason picture beginning to take shape, every win - and every loss by a competitor - matters more than ever.
Texas benefits too, but in a different way
While Texas Tech made the biggest jump of the week, the Longhorns didn’t walk away empty-handed either. Their win over A&M, combined with Utah’s struggles against Kansas, helped Texas slide up a spot in the rankings to No. 14, leapfrogging the Utes in the process. It’s not a massive jump, but it’s a meaningful one as the Longhorns look to build their case for a stronger bowl bid.
This week’s shake-up is a reminder of how interconnected the college football ecosystem really is. One rivalry game in Austin had ripple effects that reached Lubbock and beyond.
For Texas Tech, it’s a boost in national respect and a clear sign that they’re in the thick of the playoff conversation. For Texas, it’s a step in the right direction - and a win that always feels a little sweeter when it comes against the Aggies.
With just a few weeks left before the postseason dust settles, every game - and every ranking - counts. And right now, the Red Raiders are sitting in a spot that puts them squarely in the national spotlight.