Texas Tech football brings depth to 2026 season

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Texas Tech fans have high hopes for the Red Raider football team this season, after the Red Raiders won the Big 12 Championship and played on New Year’s Day in the College Football Playoff.

The team met with local media Tuesday, ahead of pre-season camp.

Head coach Joey McGuire highlighted the depth of this team, even compared to last year.

“You know, I thought we were deep at defensive tackle, you know, but we’ve got six guys that have played college football that have started for either us or other teams. And so I think there’s great depth there.”

McGuire also said he expects the team take another step forward with its offensive line, both with the quality of the starters and its depth.

“You know, I’m really anxious, too, whenever we get on the field and then we get in games. I do think we can get some more production out of our twos and three outside linebackers, you know, that maybe we didn’t get as much as we wanted last year.”

Defensive coordinator Shiel Wood led one of the nation’s top defenses last year. In fact, Tech’s run defense was number one, allowing 68 yards per game. Coach Wood also discussed the depth of the Red Raiders lined up for 2026.

“I think that we’re a deeper team in terms of quality depth and guys that can come in,” Wood said Tuesday.

“And part of that also is, I mean, not only the skill set to be able to come in and play and maybe guys that, you know, have experience, but also just the knowledge of what we’re doing.

“I think you’ve seen guys that have just matured independent of being here with us at Texas Tech, just...in their second year or in their third year of college football, just growing into that role.”

Tech is ranked 12th in the U.S. LBM coaches poll released Tuesday, the highest preseason ranking for the Red Raiders in school history. Big 12 opponents making the list include No. 15 BYU, No. 21 Utah and No. 24.

Tech will host Houston to open conference play on Friday night, Sept. 18. That game will be on FOX34.

Coaches Poll

Here is the preseason coaches poll released Tuesday:

No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Texas, No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 6 Indiana, No. 7 Miami (FL), No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 10 Ole Miss

No. 11 Alabama, No. 12 Texas Tech, No. 13 LSU, No. 14 USC, No. 15 BYU, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Penn State, No. 18 Tennessee, No. 19 Washington, No. 20 SMU, No. 21 Utah, No. 22 Iowa, No. 23 Clemson, No. 24 Houston, No. 25

Texas Tech finished last season ranked seventh in the AP and coaches polls. Last year the Red Raiders were No. 24 in the coaches preseason poll.

Tech Athletics reports the team was No. 14 in the 2008 preseason coaches poll. The Red Raiders’ highest preseason ranking in school history was in 1977, when the team was eighth on the preseason AP Poll.

Tech’s season kicks off Sept. 5 at the newly renamed Galaxy Stadium, hosting Abilene Christin.