So much about the 2026 Texas Tech football schedule is getting overlooked and ignored because it’s admittedly a pretty easy schedule. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t interesting matchups that we should talk about.
In fact, the opposite! We should focus more on what makes this coming schedule great (and I’m not just talking about how it basically affords the Red Raiders an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game this season).
In no particular order, here are the four most interesting games on the 2026 Texas Tech Red Raiders football schedule:
Texas Tech gets a home rematch against the Arizona State Sun Devils
I don’t think the current iteration of the Big 12 has enough rivalries to really support the conference in a way that is connected to the emotional, philosophical, and traditional roots of college football. At least not yet. I think this sort of matchup can help resolve that issue. We’ve seen some really close matchups between the Red Raiders and Sun Devils in the past two seasons.
Let’s go ahead and do it again
Willie Fritz has the Houston Cougars rolling and this game could be tricky
Look, I get that the Houston Cougars weren’t exactly the most impressive team ever this season, but it’s got to be remembered that they still went out and won 10 games this season, including a bowl win over the LSU Tigers.
Those are things that shouldn’t be ignored.
Something else that shouldn’t be ignored is the fact that Fritz has one of the most talent rich metropolitan areas right in his backyard. He gets to recruit from a deep well of talent. And that’s something Texas Tech needs to keep an eye on.
Texas Tech gets to face one of its alumni when the Red Raiders meet the Oklahoma State Cowboys
There’s a good chance that when Eric Morris and the Oklahoma State Cowboys meet up with Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech Red Raiders that we’ll get to see a ton of points scored between these two teams in Stillwater. At least that’s what has happened historically in this more traditional Big 12 rivalry.
Adding an extra wrinkle to this is that Morris played at Texas Tech under Mike Leach and he’s demonstrated that he can develop and cultivate a terrifying offense. It’s going to be fun to see these two teams face off next season.
We get another regional rivalry matchup of sorts against the TCU Horned Frogs!
You know what’s great about the Texas Tech Red Raiders ending the regular season facing off against the likes of the TCU Horned Frogs?
We’ll get to see two teams that recruit many of the same areas facing off against one another. I love the regionality of this game. I also love the regionality of Texas Tech’s games against Oklahoma State and Houston. The Big 12 should try to focus more on the regionality of its games. Make that happen, please.