Texas Tech’s new season gets underway Monday night in Lubbock, and the first look at Grant McCasland’s revamped roster comes with plenty of curiosity attached.
The Red Raiders open the 2026-2027 campaign against Jackson State at United Supermarkets Arena on Monday, November 2nd, with tip-off set for the first official home game of the year. CBS Sports Network will carry the broadcast, and fans looking to stream can find the game through YouTube TV, Fubo, and CBS Sports Watch Live.
There’s no shortage of buzz around Texas Tech entering the season. Expectations are high in Lubbock as the Red Raiders try to get back to the Final Four for the first time since 2019, and this opener gives McCasland a chance to start sorting out his rotation in real game action. With transfers and newcomers joining the returning core, the first night should offer an early glimpse at how the pieces fit together.
The matchup itself does not figure to be a major early measuring stick. Jackson State is not expected to provide the toughest challenge on the schedule, but the game still matters for what it can reveal about Texas Tech’s frontcourt situation and overall lineup choices.
That’s especially true with JT Toppin and Jamichael Stillwell still out. Bassala Bagayoko is expected to open the season at center, with Josiah Moseley and others likely helping up front. Bagayoko impressed in the exhibition against Kentucky, while Moseley made his presence felt on the glass with double-digit rebounds.
For Texas Tech, the bigger story Monday may be less about the opponent and more about how the Red Raiders handle the frontcourt without two key pieces in place. If the supporting cast steps up, the opener could provide an encouraging first read on a team with real Big 12 ambitions.
In Other News...
Arizona Just Got A Painful Reality Check In The Rankings
Texas Techs win over Arizona carried a little extra weight beyond the scoreboard, because it came in a weekend full of movement near the top of the college football picture. Ohio States surprise loss at USC shook up the rankings despite the Buckeyes out-gaining the Trojans, and Georgia answered its own setback with a dominant win over Florida, even if the passing game still looked uneven. In that kind of environment, every quality victory matters, and the Red Raiders kept their own playoff case very much alive by taking care of business against Arizona.
For Texas Tech, the result was more than just another conference-style statement. It helped strengthen a rsum that is starting to look the part of a team with real College Football Playoff ambition, especially with other contenders around the country showing cracks. Arizona, meanwhile, was left to absorb a painful reminder of how quickly the rankings can turn when a high-profile matchup slips away, and the Wildcats now have to regroup while the Red Raiders keep building momentum. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Just Sent A Big 12 Message Fans Needed
Texas Techs latest win did more than add another mark in the standings. The Red Raiders handled Arizona 34-26 in a Big 12 game to move to 7-1 overall, and they did it with the kind of run-first control that can travel late in the season. JKoby Williams powered the offense with 186 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving Texas Tech a clear edge in a game where Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita still managed to throw for 417 yards.
Arizona also left Lubbock with a concern beyond the loss, as wide receiver R.J. Mosley suffered a lower-body injury and stayed behind for further evaluation. For Texas Tech, though, the bigger takeaway was the message it sent in the Big 12 race: this is a team that can win in a physical game, protect its place near the top, and keep the championship conversation squarely in view. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Just Created A Quarterback Debate Fans Didnt Expect
Joey McGuire made a notable change under center against No. 22 Arizona, handing the start to Thomas Castellanos in a game that carried real weight for Texas Techs Big 12 push. The move paid off in a 34-26 victory that showed up in more than just the final score, with Castellanos accounting for 261 total yards and three touchdowns while avoiding turnovers as the Red Raiders improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
What makes the decision linger is how Texas Tech won around him, too. The Red Raiders controlled the line of scrimmage and got strong play from their linebackers, which gave the offense room to breathe and made the quarterback spot feel even more interesting going forward. After a win like this, McGuire has given the fan base something it did not expect to be discussing this late in the season. [Read more 🡒]