As the 2025 college football season approaches, the excitement surrounding Texas Tech football is palpable. Under head coach Joey McGuire, the Red Raiders are looking to build on recent progress and cement themselves as a serious contender in the Big 12. With a roster filled with playmakers, emerging stars, and a fan base hungry for success, there’s no better time to make some bold predictions.
Here are our seven boldest forecasts for Texas Tech football in 2025:
1. Texas Tech Will Compete for a Big 12 Championship Berth
One of the boldest claims is that Texas Tech will be in the thick of the Big 12 title race. For years, the Red Raiders have played the role of spoiler, capable of upsetting bigger programs but rarely sustaining consistency. That narrative is changing. The coaching staff has recruited aggressively, and several transfer portal additions bring both experience and depth. With a favorable home schedule and momentum from last year, Tech has the talent to string together wins. If they can handle road challenges and avoid slip-ups against middle-tier conference teams, don’t be surprised if the Red Raiders make it to Arlington for the conference championship game.
2. A Red Raider Quarterback Will Be a Top-5 Big 12 Passer
Texas Tech has long been associated with dynamic passing offenses, dating back to the Air Raid days. In 2025, the quarterback situation looks promising, with depth and competition pushing for excellence. Whether it’s a returning starter or a breakout newcomer, expect a Red Raider quarterback to finish in the top five in the conference in passing yards and touchdowns. With an experienced offensive line and a strong supporting cast of wide receivers, this offense should thrive. Texas Tech doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel; they just need to rediscover their identity as a high-powered, explosive passing team.
3. A Receiver Will Break 1,200 Yards This Season
Every strong Texas Tech team in the past has featured at least one electric wide receiver. In 2025, the Red Raiders are poised to have another star emerge. With the tempo of the offense and an emphasis on spreading the ball around, Tech receivers will see plenty of opportunities. Still, one standout will separate himself from the rest, crossing the 1,200-yard mark. That production will not only fuel the offense but also put the receiver in contention for All-Big 12 honors. This kind of playmaker can swing close games in Tech’s favor and bring back the excitement of elite wideouts in Lubbock.
4. The Defense Will Rank in the Top 3 of the Big 12
Bold? Absolutely. But Texas Tech’s defense has been steadily improving under Joey McGuire’s leadership and the schemes implemented by his staff. With the right mix of veterans and breakout performers, this unit could finally shake the old perception of Tech being all offense and no defense. Expect the defensive line to create havoc, while the secondary tightens up against deep threats. If they can generate turnovers consistently and limit big plays, this group could finish in the top three statistically in the Big 12. A tough, opportunistic defense is what Tech has been missing, and 2025 could be the year they deliver.
5. Texas Tech Will Upset a Ranked Opponent on the Road
Every season has defining moments, and for Texas Tech, one will come in the form of a road upset against a ranked opponent. The Red Raiders have shown they’re capable of pulling off surprises, and this year, the team has the maturity and confidence to do it in a hostile environment. Whether it’s a nationally respected Big 12 contender or a non-conference powerhouse, Tech will spoil someone’s season. This type of victory could be the difference-maker in shaping Tech’s postseason fate and national reputation.
6. A Red Raider Defender Will Be a Finalist for a National Award
If Texas Tech’s defense makes the leap many are predicting, it won’t go unnoticed on the national stage. Expect at least one defensive standout—likely a linebacker or edge rusher—to emerge as a finalist for a major award such as the Bednarik, Nagurski, or even the Butkus. This would represent a significant step forward for a program traditionally recognized for its offensive stars. Recognition at this level could also boost Texas Tech’s recruiting footprint, showing that elite defensive talent can shine in Lubbock.
7. Texas Tech Will Win 10 Games for the First Time Since 2008
Perhaps the boldest prediction of them all: Texas Tech will finish the 2025 season with at least 10 wins. The program hasn’t reached double-digit victories since 2008, when Mike Leach’s team shocked the college football world with a run to national relevance. This year, with a balanced roster, an improved defense, and an offense capable of putting up points in bunches, Tech has the pieces to make history. Achieving 10 wins would not only energize the fan base but also firmly establish the Red Raiders as a Big 12 powerhouse moving forward.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 season holds immense promise for Texas Tech football. While these predictions are bold, they’re rooted in the real progress the program has made over the past few years. From competing for a Big 12 title to fielding individual stars on both sides of the ball, the Red Raiders have the potential to surprise critics and reward loyal fans.
If everything clicks, Texas Tech could look back on the 2025 season as the moment when the program turned the corner from rebuilding to competing at the highest level.
