In a matchup that promised fireworks but delivered mostly one-sided dominance, the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders steamrolled the Houston Cougars on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium. The final score? A resounding 42-17, with Tech's offense clicking on all cylinders from the opening kickoff. Behren Morton, the sophomore quarterback, tossed for 312 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense—bolstered by high-profile transfers—held Houston to just 217 total yards. It was the kind of performance that quiets doubters, at least for now.
Indeed, this win caps a bye week that felt more like a victory lap. Tech entered the game undefeated, riding a wave of momentum from earlier triumphs, including a gritty road battle against Utah back in September. The Red Raiders' defense, once a punchline in Lubbock, has transformed into a cash-fueled powerhouse, snagging key recruits through NIL deals that have reshaped the roster. Against Houston, they forced two turnovers and sacked the Cougars' quarterback four times, turning potential threats into three-and-outs.
However, not everything was flawless. Tech's special teams unit coughed up a couple of miscues in the second half, allowing Houston a late cosmetic score that briefly sparked life into the home crowd. Moreover, injuries sidelined running back Tahj Brooks for a series, a reminder that even in dominance, vulnerabilities lurk. Coach Joey McGuire praised his team's focus post-game, saying they "stayed hungry" despite the lopsided affair. With the Big 12 slate heating up, Tech now eyes a crucial matchup against Kansas State on October 12, where their unbeaten streak will face sterner tests.
The Red Raiders' surge has injected fresh buzz into a program long overshadowed in the conference. Yet as the schedule toughens, one can't help but wonder if this early perfection holds under real pressure—or if it's just the calm before a storm of Big 12 chaos.