Texas Tech Just Got a Major Preseason Endorsement

CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford projects a bold playoff path for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

In his latest preseason College Football Playoff bracket preview, Crawford tabs Texas Tech as the Big 12 champion and places the Red Raiders as the No. 8 seed in the 12‑team field.

Crawford projects a Big 12 championship matchup between Iowa State and Texas Tech, with the Red Raiders prevailing as underdogs at +550 odds in Arlington. That conference title would punch their ticket into the Playoff, albeit without a first-round bye. The No. 8 seed under this model sends Texas Tech into the opening round, likely a high‑stakes showdown.

Texas Tech enters 2025 under fourth‑year coach Joey McGuire and riding significant momentum. McGuire landed the nation’s top transfer class this offseason, reinvigorating the roster with new talent and depth. That kind of infusion aligns with Crawford’s assumption that the Red Raiders are primed to win the Big 12 and crack the Playoff bracket.

That prediction has national implications and reflects a major shift in perception. Texas Tech has never played in the College Football Playoff. A win over Iowa State for the conference crown and a berth at No.  8 would mark a program-defining moment.

For the Big 12, it is both a statement and a challenge. If Crawford is right, Texas Tech will not only break through as conference champion but will redefine the league’s position in the playoff era. With top-flight portal talent and everything to play for, the Red Raiders look to change a projection into a reality.