Texas Tech’s 2026 Football Schedule: Key Matchups, Notable Returns, and a Unique Twist in Timing
The Big 12 dropped the full 2026 football schedule this week, and for Texas Tech, there’s plenty to unpack. From a rare early conference opener to long-awaited returns to familiar venues, the Red Raiders’ path through the season is lined with intriguing storylines and pivotal matchups.
Let’s break it down.
A Rare Early Conference Test
Texas Tech opens the season at home on Sept. 5 against Abilene Christian, followed by a trip to Oregon State on Sept. 12. But it’s what comes next that stands out: a Big 12 opener against Houston on Sept. 19 - before the Red Raiders wrap up their non-conference slate.
That’s something we haven’t seen from Tech in a typical season since 2013, when a Thursday night showdown with TCU came in Week 3. The only other recent exception was 2020, during the pandemic-shortened season, when Tech faced Texas in Week 2.
This early conference game adds a wrinkle to the Red Raiders' usual rhythm. It’s a chance to make a statement in the Big 12 race right out of the gate - and it comes at home, which could be a major advantage.
Non-Conference Finale and a Well-Timed Bye
After facing Houston, Tech wraps up its non-league schedule on Sept. 26 against Sam Houston State. That gives them five games before a much-needed open date in early October - a strategic breather before the heart of the Big 12 grind.
The bye comes after an Oct. 3 road trip to Colorado, marking Tech’s first visit to Boulder since 2010. The Buffaloes, of course, left the Big 12 for the Pac-12 after that season and only recently rejoined the conference. These two teams met in Lubbock in 2024, but this return trip adds a layer of nostalgia and renewed rivalry.
Midseason Stretch: Road Tests and Home Showdowns
Following the bye, Tech hosts Arizona State on Oct. 17 and then hits the road again to face Cincinnati on Oct. 24 - a matchup that carries a bit of quarterback intrigue.
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati’s starting quarterback the past two seasons, transferred to Texas Tech this month. If he wins the Red Raiders’ starting job, that Oct. 24 game will be his return to Nippert Stadium - this time wearing scarlet and black. It’s a storyline that writes itself.
Then comes a critical two-game homestand: Arizona on Oct. 31 and West Virginia on Nov. 7.
Arizona’s trip to Lubbock is its first since the 1989 season opener - a year when Tech knocked off four Top 20 teams en route to a 9-3 finish. That history won’t be lost on longtime fans.
The Road to the Finish Line
The final stretch won’t be easy. Tech heads to Stillwater on Nov. 14 to face Oklahoma State, then to Waco on Nov. 21 to take on Baylor. Back-to-back road games in November are always a test of depth and resilience - especially in a conference as competitive as the Big 12.
The regular-season finale comes on Nov. 28 at home against TCU, closing the book on the 2026 campaign at Jones AT&T Stadium.
A Look at the Bigger Picture
This schedule puts Tech in position to build momentum early, navigate a balanced midseason slate, and finish strong - if they can manage the road-heavy November. The early conference opener is a curveball, but it also offers a chance to set the tone for the rest of the season.
And from a logistical standpoint, Tech is sticking to its goal of seven home games per year - a commitment athletic director Kirby Hocutt made back in 2023. The only exception remains 2027, when a road game at North Texas is being treated as a quasi-home game due to the Red Raiders’ strong DFW alumni base.
2026 Texas Tech Football Schedule
(Home games in ALL CAPS, Big 12 games denoted by asterisk)
- Sept. 5 - ABILENE CHRISTIAN
- Sept. 12 - at Oregon State
- Sept.
19 - HOUSTON*
- Sept.
26 - SAM HOUSTON STATE
- Oct. 3 - at Colorado*
- Oct. 17 - ARIZONA STATE*
- Oct. 24 - at Cincinnati*
- Oct.
31 - ARIZONA*
- Nov.
7 - WEST VIRGINIA*
- Nov. 14 - at Oklahoma State*
- Nov. 21 - at Baylor*
- Nov.
28 - TCU*
With a schedule that blends tradition, reunions, and fresh challenges, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the more compelling campaigns in recent memory for Texas Tech. From early conference action to late-season road tests, the Red Raiders will have every opportunity to prove they belong in the Big 12’s upper tier.