Texas Tech Drops to No. 13 in Coaches and AP Top 25 Polls After Opening Win
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Texas Tech opened the 2026 season with a win, but the Red Raiders still lost a little ground in the national rankings.
The Red Raiders dropped from No. 12 to No. 13 in the Week 2 US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25 Poll after beating Abilene Christian 33-10 Saturday night in Lubbock.
MORE: Big 12 Pulls Lawsuit Against Texas Tech Stemming From Sorsby Saga
Texas Tech received 955 points in the updated coaches poll and remains firmly positioned among the highest-ranked teams in the Big 12.
Tech's drop in the rankings had less to do with struggling and more to do with movement around it.
The Red Raiders were surpassed by Alabama in the AP rankings after the Crimson Tide beat East Carolina 48-10. The Pirates are led by former Tech backup quarterback Mitch Griffis.
LSU made one of the biggest jumps of the week, climbing from No. 13 to No. 8 after dismantling Clemson 51-10. Miami stayed at No. 7, while Texas A&M sits at No. 9 (No. 10 in AP) and Oklahoma moved to No. 10 (No. 11 in AP).
For Texas Tech, the opening performance was solid if not overwhelming.
Quarterback Will Hammond returned from last season’s torn ACL and completed 26 of 33 passes for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
His biggest play came late when he connected with Malcolm Simmons for a 64-yard touchdown.
Texas Tech finished with 471 yards of total offense, including 173 rushing yards, while holding Abilene Christian to just 194 total yards.
The Red Raiders also controlled the line of scrimmage defensively. ACU managed only 75 rushing yards, averaged 3.2 yards per offensive play and allowed three sacks.
Running back J’Koby Williams led Texas Tech with 71 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Quinten Joyner added 43 yards and a score, while Kenny Johnson led the receiving corps with 76 yards.
One area Texas Tech will want to improve is finishing drives.
The Red Raiders reached the red zone five times and scored on all five trips, but four of their points-producing drives ended with Stone Harrington field goals.
Against stronger Big 12 competition, those opportunities will eventually need to become touchdowns.
Still, Joey McGuire’s team accomplished the primary objective: win the opener, keep Hammond healthy and move forward.
Now the schedule gets more interesting.
Texas Tech travels to Oregon State on Sept. 12, giving the Red Raiders their first road test of the season and another chance to justify their place among the nation’s top 15 teams.
MORE: Texas Tech OC Mack Leftwich Hears Week 1 Frustrations: 'Got To Execute'
At No. 13, Texas Tech hasn’t lost national respect.
But from here, the Red Raiders will have to earn every spot.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos