The 2025 season is going to be a make-or-break campaign for Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech football team.
Few previous iterations of the Red Raiders have generated this much attention for what is expected of the squad. McGuire knows every game on the schedule is big, but many of these games — most of them away from Jones AT&T Stadium — are bigger than others.
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Which of the 12 regular-season games should Texas Tech fans look forward to the most, and which could define what this year’s Red Raiders will be? Here’s our ranking.
Sep 21, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Elijah OÕNeal (15) pressures Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.
12. Aug. 30 vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
FCS opponents deserve the payday and opportunity, but they’re never exciting — unless you almost lose to Abilene Christian.
11. Sept. 6 vs. Kent State
Hard for Texas Tech fans to get amped facing a team that’s won one game in the last two years combined.
10. Nov. 15 vs. UCF
Lee Hunter gets to face his former team in Jones AT&T Stadium. Other than that, yawn. Knights are in a rebuild under Scott Frost.
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9. Oct. 25 vs. Oklahoma State
Have to split hairs with the Big 12 schedule, but the Cowboys were dreadful in 2024 and don’t seem too promising in 2025.
8. Oct. 4 at Houston
Joey McGuire took Houston’s defensive coordinator and top interior defensive lineman. How will Shiel Wood and AJ Holmes like their return?
7. Nov. 8 vs. BYU
Last year’s hot start cooled off significantly by November for BYU, and the Cougars don’t have nearly as much talent as they did in 2024.
6. Oct. 11 vs. Kansas
It’s homecoming, so Texas Tech has that going. Red Raiders have dominated the series with Kansas, which is replacing a lot of skill on both sides of the ball.
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5. Sept. 13 vs. Oregon State
After two should-be cakewalks to open the season, Oregon State will be Tech’s only true test in non-conference play.
4. Nov. 29 at West Virginia
Plenty of options for the regular-season finale. Will Texas Tech have a spot in the Big 12 championship locked up? Still need a win to get in? Or out of contention completely?
Avery Johnson tortured the Texas Tech defense as a freshman. The Red Raiders will need this win in a big way.
2. Sept. 20 at Utah
The first Big 12 game of the year could define which direction the Red Raiders will go in 2025. Having it on the road only adds to the importance.
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Sun Devils have a shot at revenge with a loaded roster of returning talent. Red Raiders need signature wins to add to their College Football Playoff chances. No bigger opportunity than a win at Tempe.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Ranking Texas Tech football’s 2025 games: Which one is best?
