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ESPN labels Texas Tech as a pivotal game for another Texas team in 2026

ByEthan Lee|
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Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire on the sidelines against the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire on the sidelines against the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

When Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech football team hit the start of the 2026 college football season, the Red Raiders are going to be the focal point of a ton of attention from a number of different angles. 

Media members will pay close attention to what Texas Tech accomplishes, the College Football Playoff committee will be examining the outcomes of games closely, and fans will be some sort of hyperbolic in the way they react to the results of 2026 games on a regular basis. 

Oh, and anyone who has Texas Tech on the schedule for the 2026 season will have that game circled.

The Red Raiders and their thrilling season that included them going from being an underdog to being a legitimate College Football Playoff contender earned Texas Tech plenty of scrutiny. Tons of people took umbrage with the money spent in attracting talent and investing into the Red Raiders’ ability to succeed in the long run.

People won’t be overlooking the Red Raiders at all. In fact, Texas Tech will be the benchmark for teams like the TCU Horned Frogs. 

ESPN commentator points to the Texas Tech Red Raiders matchup with TCU as the Horned Frogs’ defining game for the 2026 season

It wasn’t that long ago that the TCU Horned Frogs made a thrilling run to the College Football Playoffs in Sonny Dykes’ first season in Fort Worth. Since then, things haven’t been as fun for the Horned Frogs. But that doesn’t mean that TCU won’t be good next season.

So, as ESPN’s very own Dave Wilson points to this game on TCU’s schedule as something that could define TCU’s season, it’s something that you absolutely should be paying attention to.

The Horned Frogs went 9-4 last season and did well in their Alamo Bowl win over the USC Trojans, but they’re replacing Josh Hoover at quarterback and will need to get some consistency on the defensive side of things to really elevate themselves.

That said, TCU’s offense was really solid last season as they averaged over 420 yards of offense and managed to score just over 30 points per game. If they can find a way to continue attacking through the air as they did in 2025, the Horned Frogs will be a team that Texas Tech will need to keep an eye on. 

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