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Texas Tech is now the clear favorite in the Big 12. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
John E. Moore III via Getty Images
No. 8 Texas Tech established itself as the leading contender in the Big 12 with a 29-7 win over No. 7 BYU to end the Cougars’ undefeated season.
The BYU offense couldn’t get anything going as Texas Tech’s offense struggled when it had the chance to score touchdowns. After taking a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, Tech had to settle for three field goals under 40 yards over the next two quarters.
But the Red Raiders (9-1, 6-1, Big 12) officially made the game a rout with 10:46 to go. Cameron DIckey’s 3-yard TD capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive to end any hope of a miraculous BYU comeback.
It wasn’t just the field goals that prevented the game from being an even bigger blowout, either. Tech also had a chance to go up three scores before halftime. After calling timeout with three seconds to go, the Red Raiders went for a touchdown and a potential 20-0 lead at the break. It was the right call; a field goal would have kept the game at two possessions. A touchdown would have extended the lead to three.
However, QB Behren Morton’s pass went through the hands of Terrance Carter Jr. in the end zone.
But even as Texas Tech’s offense couldn’t turn dives into touchdowns for much of the game, Texas Tech’s defense did more than enough to make the game feel out of reach following Morton’s first-quarter TD pass to Caleb Douglas.
The Red Raiders’ defense has been one of the best in the country so far in 2025 and Saturday showed why. BYU freshman QB Bear Bachmeier looked awkward and uncomfortable for the first time all season and a run game powered by LJ Martin — who is dealing with a shoulder injury — was far from explosive.
Before finally scoring a TD with 7:35 to go, BYU’s first eight drives of the game resulted in six punts, a missed 51-yard field goal attempt and an interception by all-world Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also recovered a fumble with less than four minutes to go. That was BYU's third turnover of the game.
Before the 75-yard TD drive, BYU's eight possessions totaled just 137 yards. And the Cougars’ special teams didn’t help, either. Tech’s first points of the game came off a fumbled punt after BYU’s first punt of the game was a shank.
Why Texas Tech is the favorite
The Red Raiders are still in a three-way tie in the loss column in the Big 12 with BYU and Cincinnati. But after an off week in Week 12, Tech finishes the season against UCF and West Virginia.
BYU (8-1, 5-1) and Cincinnati (7-2, 5-1), meanwhile, are set to play each other on Nov. 22. And both the Bearcats and Cougars face TCU before the end of the season. The Horned Frogs entered Week 11 at 3-2 in the conference and 6-2 overall.
That game between BYU and Cincinnati could end up being for the right to face the Red Raiders in the Big 12 title game.
Tech will be the favorite in Dallas — assuming, of course, the Red Raiders get there — against any opponent. But the offense will need to be much cleaner if Tech is going to be a national title contender.
A defense that was overhauled in the offseason via massive NIL spending in the transfer portal is title-worthy. But Morton looked shaky at times. If he’s better and healthier after returning a week ago from a leg injury, then the Red Raiders could easily get a first-round bye.
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