Texas Tech Finishes 2025 as the Top Team in the Lone Star State, According to Final ESPN FPI Rankings
The Lone Star State is no stranger to powerhouse football programs. From Austin to College Station, from Fort Worth to Waco, Texas has long been a proving ground for elite college football talent. But in the 2025 season, it was Texas Tech that rose above them all.
Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders closed out the year as the highest-ranked team in Texas in the final ESPN Football Power Index (FPI), as well as in both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll. That’s not just a feather in the cap - that’s a full-on statement. Texas Tech didn’t just outperform their in-state rivals; they distanced themselves from them.
Let’s talk about what that really means.
Red Raiders Lead the Pack
Texas Tech finished the season ranked No. 6 overall in the final ESPN FPI - the highest of any team in Texas. That puts them ahead of some of the state’s most storied programs:
- Texas Longhorns (SEC): No. 11
- Texas A&M Aggies (SEC): No. 12
- SMU Mustangs (ACC): No. 23
- TCU Horned Frogs (Big 12): No. 32
- North Texas Mean Green (American): No. 41
- Houston Cougars (Big 12): No. 50
- Baylor Bears (Big 12): No. 59
- UTSA Roadrunners (American): No. 62
- Texas State Bobcats (Sun Belt): No. 72
- UTEP Miners (CUSA): No. 125
- Rice Owls (American): No. 127
- Sam Houston Bearkats (CUSA): No. 135
That’s 13 FBS programs across the state - and Texas Tech finished at the top of the heap.
A Program on the Rise
What makes this even more impressive is the level of competition within the state. The Longhorns and Aggies both play in the SEC, widely considered the toughest conference in college football.
SMU made noise in its first season in the ACC. TCU and Baylor, recent College Football Playoff contenders, are still battling in the Big 12.
And yet, it’s Texas Tech that emerged as the top dog.
This isn’t just a one-off season. There’s real momentum in Lubbock.
Head coach Joey McGuire has built a culture that’s resonating with players and fans alike - gritty, confident, and fast. And behind the scenes, Texas Tech’s donor base, led by names like Cody Campbell, has been pouring resources into the program.
From facilities to NIL support, the Red Raiders are putting themselves in position to not just compete, but to contend.
What Comes Next
The question now is sustainability. Can Texas Tech make this kind of success the new normal? If the infrastructure continues to grow and the recruiting pipeline stays strong, there’s every reason to believe the Red Raiders can remain a fixture in the national conversation - and continue to be the team to beat in Texas.
For now, though, they’ve earned their bragging rights. In a state where football is king, Texas Tech stands alone at the top of the throne in 2025.