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Texas Tech is 2-0, but neither game felt like the dominance 2025. Maybe it won’t ever feel like the dominant run you had last season, but you’ll have to play better against Houston to stay undefeated. 

The Cougars are ranked and have a million reasons why they want to beat Texas Tech. Not only did Texas Tech beat Houston last season, they’ve beaten the Cougars 12 of the last 13 times the pair has matched up. Texas Tech is also the defending champion, which means every team is gunning for them. There’s also a quote in the ether where Cody Campbell said the Red Raiders would be throwing on Big 12 teams while they were up by 40 at the end of the game. 

I don’t think he was talking about Houston, but you better believe that quote is on a bulletin board in the Cougars facility. 

In his press conference Joey McGuire said that Houston was the best team that the Red Raiders had played in conference over the last two seasons. I’m not sure they are better than Utah and BYU last season, but they are certainly better than Houston was a season ago. 

They are one of 11 programs in the country that return the head coach, both coordinators, and starting QB. They also have a 5-star true freshman QB that is 6 of 8 with two touchdowns through the air and his only carry of the season was a 56-yard score. 

Their running game is much more dynamic from a year ago as well with Makhi Hughes and Re’Shaun Sanford forming a drive-cracking duo. Amare Thomas might be the best wide receiver in the conference and Koby Young has four catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns through two games. Patrick Overmeyer seems like he’s filling in nicely for Tanner Koziol as well. 

The biggest change in this Houston offense though is along the offensive line. They were pitiful through the non-con last season with PFF grades in the teens at both tackles. In the offseason they added an All-American guard from Tulane in Shadre Hurst and he’s been the best graded guard through two games according to PFF. The center Anthony Boswell also transferred in after seasons at Toledo and Purdue and has also been strong while returning tackle Alvin Ebosele has also been strong. The left side of this Houston OL is very strong.

If you’re bringing pressure, it might be focused on the right side of the OL. 

The defense in Houston is the same as it ever was under Willie Fritz. In year one, without a lot of winning, the defense was solid under Shiel Wood and gave up just under 23 points per game. Last season, with way more wins, they also gave up just under 23 points per game with defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. 

Fritz teams just play solid defense. They’ll force some turnovers, but they are just as happy with a punt of turnover on downs as they are with a forced fumble or interception. They also aren’t giving up a bunch of big plays, which isn’t something that Texas Tech’s offense has excelled at through two games. 

The Red Raiders aren’t as good as last year, but the question in my mind is if they are good enough to cash the checks that have been written by the boosters and fan base in regards to Big 12 play. 

If you’re reading this and don’t know me from any other content I produce I’ll let you in on a bit about my personality. I’m incredibly stubborn. 

While listing all of the things that are better about Houston in 2026, they still don’t add up to what I believe this Texas Tech football team to be. 

I still think that Brice Pollock and the potentially returning Brendan Jordan can be a solid Big 12 secondary. Even after Atkinson and Legree torched them last week in the rain. 

I still think this defensive front can shut down an opposing rushing attack and can compete against the best offensive lines in the conference. 

I still think this offense can find some explosiveness. Whether that’s through some intentional play calling or by the playmakers making more plays. 

So, call me stubborn or just plain stupid, I think the Red Raiders at home will still win by a similar margin as last year in Houston. You can chalk some of that up to the VisitLubbock home field advantage.

Give me Texas Tech 35, Houston 14. Texas Tech covers the 7.5 easily and makes a statement to the rest of the Big 12.