Texas Tech's 24th Ranking: What It Means For The Red Raiders

Preseason polls may not mean much, but are the Red Raiders still underrated?

The latest preseason rankings are in, and Texas Tech has landed at #24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. While that might seem like a modest placement, it’s loaded with promise—and pressure—for a team that’s made some big moves in the offseason.

The NIL Era Changes Everything

Texas Tech went all in on offseason recruiting, and it paid off. With the help of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, the Red Raiders managed to bring in high-quality talent across the board. But Lubbock wants to know: does that guarantee success?

NIL has flipped the script on college football. Coaches aren’t just building programs anymore—they’re rebuilding entire rosters every year. A deep postseason run one season doesn’t mean much if the team’s chemistry resets the next. It’s now less about player development over time and more about quick cohesion and rapid adaptation.

More Than Ever, It's a Coach's Game

In today’s game, coaching isn’t just important—it’s everything. Getting a group of talented individuals to play as a unified team is the ultimate challenge. We’ve all seen star-studded rosters that implode because they couldn’t find rhythm. That’s the tightrope coaches walk now, and Texas Tech’s staff will need to be nothing short of masterful.

Why #24 May Be Underrating the Red Raiders

Some may be happy just to see Texas Tech on the list—but I’d argue #24 is actually low. With the talent brought in and momentum from the past season, the expectations in Lubbock are sky-high. Anything less than contending for the Big 12 title will likely be seen as a disappointment.

Do I think they’ll crack the top 10 this season? Maybe not. But with this roster and the right in-season adjustments, a New Year’s Six bowl or even a playoff push isn’t out of the question.

Big Expectations in the Hub City

Let’s not sugarcoat it: expectations for Texas Tech football have never been higher. This year isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about proving that the investment in NIL, coaching, and recruiting translates to wins.

Fans want results. The talent is there. The table is set. Now it's up to the Red Raiders to go out and put some W’s on the board.