NCAA softball fans react to Texas Tech, Texas being tied for No. 1 in preseason poll

After a historic run last year and a solid accumulation of new talent plus a solid number of returning players from last season’s successful season, it looks like the Texas Tech Red Raiders are primed to build a little momentum as a program as they move forward.

The Texas Tech softball team is currently sitting at No.1 in the country, but the Red Raiders aren’t the only team in the country holding on to that No. 1 spot. Interestingly enough, the Red Raiders share that spot with the Texas Longhorns.

And that, of course, drew all sorts of reactions from folks all over the place.

College softball fans share their thoughts as the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Texas Longhorns start 2026 season tied for No. 1

I don’t think anyone is going to be shocked that Texas fans aren’t in love with this set of college softball rankings.

And yeah, preseason polls are preseason polls. Things are bound to change, but I think there’s still some value in doing them (even if that value is just to generate conversation and buzz around the sport and some teams in the process).

My favorite part of all of this is as the Longhorns are upset about the tie with the Red Raiders given the way last season ended, we’ve got an Oklahoma fan who is just hanging out and talking about the potential that the Sooners softball team has to develop as time goes on. Taking a step back to appreciate it and I can appreciate that. 

We’ll see how this season pans out for the Red Raiders and the Longhorns. Either one of these teams could make the claim for being the top ranked team in the country and I think I could listen to arguments for either. 

Given how last season ended, I probably would have the Longhorns a bit higher in an objective ranking, but I’m not going to lose sleep over the Red Raiders being tied with Texas. To be completely honest, I think it’s kind of funny.