Texas Tech Crushes BYU 34-7 in Big 12 Championship

Red Raiders clinch first conference title in over 60 years, dashing Cougars' playoff hopes

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:42pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intensity and strategy of a college football game, with players and the field deconstructed into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors.Texas Tech's dominant defensive performance and ability to force turnovers proved too much for BYU, dashing the Cougars' playoff hopes in a lopsided Big 12 championship clash.Arlington Today

In a dominant performance, the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the BYU Cougars 34-7 in the Big 12 Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The victory marks Texas Tech's first conference title since 1955 and secures them a first-round bye in the upcoming College Football Playoff, while BYU will likely play in a non-playoff bowl game.

Why it matters

This game had major implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. For Texas Tech, the win represents a historic milestone, ending their 60-plus year drought without a conference championship. For BYU, the loss dashes their hopes of making the prestigious College Football Playoff, forcing them to settle for a lesser bowl game.

The details

Texas Tech dominated the game after BYU scored the opening touchdown. The Red Raiders' defense forced four turnovers, including two interceptions and two fumbles, which they converted into 34 unanswered points. Texas Tech's offense was also effective, limiting BYU's rushing attack and controlling the tempo of the game.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 10, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
  • BYU scored the opening touchdown on their first drive, going 90 yards for the score.
  • Texas Tech then scored 34 straight points to take complete control of the game.

The players

Texas Tech Red Raiders

The No. 4 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders football team, who clinched their first Big 12 championship since 1955 with the victory.

BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars football team, whose playoff hopes were dashed with the loss in the Big 12 Championship game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This win is a testament to the hard work our team has put in over the years. We're excited to represent the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff.”

— Joey McGuire, Head Coach, Texas Tech Red Raiders

“It's a tough pill to swallow, but we'll regroup and focus on finishing our season strong in a bowl game. This team has a bright future ahead.”

— Kalani Sitake, Head Coach, BYU Cougars

What’s next

Texas Tech will receive a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, while BYU will likely play in a non-playoff bowl game after the regular season.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the growing disparity between the top programs and the underdogs in college football. Texas Tech's dominant performance, fueled by a relentless defense and opportunistic offense, showcased the importance of in-game adjustments and coaching strategy in determining the outcome of high-stakes matchups.