Texas Tech heads back to Colorado tonight for the first time in 16 years, and the Red Raiders arrive with a very different feel than the team that left Lubbock frustrated two seasons ago. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm Central on FOX, and it marks only the second meeting between the programs since Colorado returned to the Big 12.
The last time these teams met, Colorado walked out with a 41-27 win, powered by Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Texas Tech was in position for a Big 12 title game push at the time, but the loss stung in more ways than one.
Behren Morton was sacked seven times that night, and afterward a Texas Tech fan reached out to booster Cody Campbell on X with a blunt message asking him to buy the Red Raiders and offensive line. Campbell’s two-word answer, “I will,” has since become part of Tech football lore, and the billionaire has done plenty more than just address the offensive line since then.
Now Texas Tech goes in as nearly a two-touchdown favorite, with a chance to move to 5-0. If the Red Raiders want to leave Boulder with a road win, three things have to happen.
First, they have to take care of the football. Colorado’s offense has been sputtering all season, with the Buffs failing to top 14 points against an FBS opponent.
They are also making a quarterback change, with Isaac Wilson replacing Julian Lewis. That puts even more pressure on Texas Tech to avoid gifting Colorado short fields or, worse, points off turnovers.
Both teams are sitting at minus-2 in turnover margin, a number that ranks 96th nationally, so ball security may decide everything.
Second, Tech has to force Colorado into a one-dimensional game. The Buffs have leaned on the run more than the pass this season, averaging 39.8 rushing attempts per game compared with 33.3 throws.
Their 156.5 rushing yards per game rank 76th nationally, and their best ground performance came in the win over Georgia Tech, when they ran for 183 yards. They also put up 180 rushing yards against Northwestern.
With Wilson making his first career start, Colorado will likely try to ease him in and lean on the short passing game and the ground attack. Texas Tech needs to shut that down and make the Buffs win through the air.
Finally, the Red Raiders have to manage the clock. That matters anywhere, but especially at altitude.
Colorado’s offense runs fast, using what it calls the “Go-Go” scheme, a tempo-heavy system built around two running backs in the shotgun and a steady stream of misdirection. It has been described as “basketball on grass,” and when it’s rolling, it can wear down a defense.
Texas Tech’s own numbers don’t suggest a team built around long possessions - the Red Raiders rank 110th nationally in time of possession at 28:14 per game - but tonight they need to be smarter with it. Run the ball.
Keep the defense fresh. Make Colorado work.
If Tech can do those three things, the scoreboard should take care of itself.
In Other News...
Texas Tech Fans Stumbled Onto A Colorado Mystery Before Kickoff
Texas Tech supporters got an unexpected glimpse behind the curtain before kickoff when a 25-page Colorado game plan playbook was reportedly found at the Buffaloes' team hotel. The document appeared authentic and, according to the report, lined up with plays Colorado actually used in the game, turning what might have been a routine pregame footnote into a curious subplot around the matchup.
The game itself only deepened the intrigue for the Red Raiders, who watched Colorado struggle through a 29-7 loss marked by turnovers and interceptions. After a third straight defeat, Deion Sanders pointed to problems inside the program and said the Buffaloes will open up the quarterback competition during the bye week, leaving plenty of questions for a team trying to steady itself. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Defense Just Turned A Nervy Start Into A Statement Win
Texas Tech walked into Boulder facing a tricky setup and spent the first half looking like a team trying to find its footing. Colorado had the early edge, but the Red Raiders kept hanging around long enough for the defense to start tilting the game their way, and once the takeaways started coming, the whole mood of the night changed.
John Curry, Brice Pollock and Malik Esquerra each came away with interceptions as Texas Tech turned a halftime deficit into a 29-7 win. Will Hammond threw for 134 yards and a touchdown, while J'Koby Williams and Quinten Joyner also found the end zone, giving the Red Raiders a road victory that felt a lot cleaner by the finish than it did when it began. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Escapes One Cameron Dickey Fear But Another Question Looms
Texas Tech got one encouraging bit of news out of Cameron Dickeys ankle injury from the Colorado game when X-rays came back negative, easing fears of anything catastrophic. Head coach Joey McGuire said the back is likely dealing with a high ankle sprain, but the timing of the Red Raiders open week gives the staff at least a chance to see if Dickey can work back in time for Arizona State.
Even with Dickey sidelined, Quenten Joyner handled a bigger workload and made his presence felt in the win over Colorado. That keeps Texas Tech from feeling completely exposed if Dickey needs more time, but it also leaves a familiar question hanging over the next stretch: how much of the offense will be available when the Red Raiders return to the field? [Read more 🡒]