The No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders made a definitive statement in the Big 12 race on November 8, 2025, handing the No. 7 BYU Cougars their first loss in a dominating 29-7 performance. Played in front of a packed, high-stakes College GameDay crowd in Lubbock, the victory was not driven by the high-octane offense the Big 12 is known for, but rather by an absolute defensive masterclass that instantly solidified Texas Tech as a serious College Football Playoff contender.

The most critical element of the win was the Red Raider defense, which completely neutralized the previously undefeated Cougars’ offense. They transformed BYU’s prolific rushing attack into a non-factor, holding the Cougars to a mere 67 total rushing yards—a season-worst performance for BYU and less than half their season average. The defensive front, which the program invested heavily in during the offseason, applied relentless pressure on freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. He looked uncomfortable and was held under 200 passing yards, rarely having the time to attempt a deep ball. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, in particular, was everywhere, recording 14 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble, showcasing a suffocating team effort.

While the Red Raider offense settled for four short field goals throughout the game, their ground game was efficient and crucial to controlling the clock. Running back Cameron Dickey delivered a hard-fought performance, chewing up the turf for 121 rushing yards. This solid ground attack gave the defense plenty of rest, denying BYU opportunities to mount a comeback. Quarterback Behren Morton’s one touchdown pass to Caleb Douglas in the first quarter set the early tone, establishing a lead the Red Raiders’ elite defense would never relinquish.

This win was a monumental step for the Red Raiders. By shutting down the previously undefeated Cougars and securing the head-to-head tiebreaker, Texas Tech now controls its destiny for a Big 12 Championship appearance. The game demonstrated that in the era of high-octane offense, the Red Raiders’ investment in an elite, suffocating defense can be the ultimate formula for championship success.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

DoorDash
With DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.

SupplyHouse
Join the free TradeMaster program today and score serious perks like priority shipping, lower prices, and a dedicated support line. Visit SupplyHouse.com to sign up for free and use promo code SHCOLLEGE5 for 5% off your first order.
 

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.