Texas Tech Football Raises Bar After Big 12 Title and CFP Berth

Coach Joey McGuire says expectations are higher after team's breakthrough season.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire knows the expectations and pressure on his team to win at a higher level are only going to rise after the Red Raiders' breakthrough 2025 season. Texas Tech went 12-2, won the Big 12 championship, and made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff. McGuire says that taste of success has made his team hungrier for more, and the Red Raiders have reloaded with a strong recruiting class and transfer portal haul. Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt also touted the program's passionate fan base in the Permian Basin region, which has provided crucial financial support.

Why it matters

Texas Tech's unexpected success in 2025 has elevated the program to new heights, with heightened expectations from fans and increased pressure to sustain that level of performance. The Red Raiders' ability to build on their breakthrough campaign will be crucial in cementing the program as an elite contender in the Big 12 and nationally.

The details

After going 12-2 and winning the Big 12 title last season, Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire says his team is hungrier than ever to achieve even more. The Red Raiders brought in a highly-ranked recruiting class and transfer portal haul, including quarterback Brendan Sorsby and linebacker Austin Romaine. McGuire also highlighted key returning players like linebacker Ben Roberts, cornerback Brice Pollock, and tight end Terrance Carter Jr. Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt praised the program's passionate fan base in the Permian Basin region, which has provided crucial financial support as the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve.

  • Texas Tech went 12-2 and won the Big 12 championship in the 2025 season.
  • The Red Raiders made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2025.

The players

Joey McGuire

The head coach of the Texas Tech football team.

Kirby Hocutt

The athletic director at Texas Tech University.

Brendan Sorsby

A quarterback who transferred to Texas Tech from Cincinnati.

Austin Romaine

A linebacker who transferred to Texas Tech from Kansas State.

Ben Roberts

A linebacker and MVP of the 2025 Big 12 championship game for Texas Tech.

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What they’re saying

“If you've never done it before, you wish, you hope and pray and you put in the work in, but it's not a reality until you do it. Now it's a reality, but now our guys are coming into the building as the defending Big 12 champions, and they know what it takes to get there and now they're trying to build the team up.”

— Joey McGuire, Head Coach (mrt.com)

“It's one of the great things about being the athletic director at Texas Tech; it's the support that we receive. There's no university in the country that has a more generous, a more passionate fanbase than what we enjoy at Texas Tech.”

— Kirby Hocutt, Athletic Director (mrt.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.