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Tech 2026 schedule is an absolute gauntlet

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Skubalon
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In reply to AgLA06 • 10:22a, 12/9/25
AgLA06 said:
Shooz in Katy said:
Can we go back to the Big 12 and go to the playoffs every year?


You forgot and be irrelevant and broke.


Texas Tech is #4 in the nation and rich.

Just saying.

I personally wouldn't want Notre Dame in the Big 12. But I'd be happy for A&M to come back.
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10:22a, 12/9/25
boyfriend
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In reply to AgLA06 • 10:23a, 12/9/25
AgLA06 said:
Shooz in Katy said:
Can we go back to the Big 12 and go to the playoffs every year?


You forgot and be irrelevant and broke.


How much does conference affiliation matter in the NIL/transfer portal era? If the goal is making the playoffs every year then isn't it logical to take the path of least resistance like tech or ND? The conference games in the big12 would suck but you wouldn't be irrelevant if you make the playoffs more years than not. Tech hasn't had this much success since coach Leach.

CFB is still in transition, maybe we'll all be in a 40 team super conference soon and tech and ND won't be able to benefit from weaker opposition. But until then they have a big advantage.
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Skubalon
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In reply to Get Off My Lawn • 10:25a, 12/9/25
Get Off My Lawn said:
I could see the SEC and B1G kicking the NCAA aside to develop an NFL replica, but with a promotion / relegation system attached.

Premier teams want to keep their lucrative positions but then get eclipsed by a cakewalking outsider like Tceh. The 2 legitimate conferences have the power to create something much more stable and sustainable, if they choose.

Serious question: would you really want that? Really?

That sounds awful to me personally. What you are describing sounds to me like an NFL minor league that happens to play its games on college campuses. I mean, we are almost to that point anyway, and I am not a fan despite how my team has been able to benefit from it. But I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin of everything I once loved about college football.

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dabo man
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10:27a, 12/9/25
AG
Why would Tceh schedule anyone? The committee loves them and their creampuff schedule. Why mess with success?
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aeon-ag
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In reply to Bag • 10:29a, 12/9/25
Bag said:


borrowed from OR

Is this a problem? Is this the future?

Maybe we just join the sun belt conference and go to the playoffs every year

Is this the best the "big" 12 has to compete against?
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boyfriend
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In reply to aeon-ag • 10:31a, 12/9/25
The big12 is a basketball league and tech is the only one spending on football. Pretty good situation.
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The Banned
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In reply to boyfriend • 10:31a, 12/9/25
boyfriend said:
AgLA06 said:
Shooz in Katy said:
Can we go back to the Big 12 and go to the playoffs every year?


You forgot and be irrelevant and broke.


How much does conference affiliation matter in the NIL/transfer portal era? If the goal is making the playoffs every year then isn't it logical to take the path of least resistance like tech or ND? The conference games in the big12 would suck but you wouldn't be irrelevant if you make the playoffs more years than not. Tech hasn't had this much success since coach Leach.

CFB is still in transition, maybe we'll all be in a 40 team super conference soon and tech and ND won't be able to benefit from weaker opposition. But until then they have a big advantage.

The difference in conference money is felt over multiple years, not just one. There is a reason FSU and Clemson are desperate to get out of the ACC for the SEC or B1G. The are feeling what it's like to be severely behind in revenue. Tech is only benefitting this year because of an insanely wealthy donor. But that donor can't beat ESPN money over the course of a decade. And donor interest is going to waver if they keep spending tens of millions only to fall short in the playoffs again and again. What they're doing is impressive, but not sustainable.
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10:32a, 12/9/25
The Banned
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In reply to Skubalon • 10:34a, 12/9/25
Skubalon said:
Get Off My Lawn said:
I could see the SEC and B1G kicking the NCAA aside to develop an NFL replica, but with a promotion / relegation system attached.

Premier teams want to keep their lucrative positions but then get eclipsed by a cakewalking outsider like Tceh. The 2 legitimate conferences have the power to create something much more stable and sustainable, if they choose.

Serious question: would you really want that? Really?

That sounds awful to me personally. What you are describing sounds to me like an NFL minor league that happens to play its games on college campuses. I mean, we are almost to that point anyway, and I am not a fan despite how my team has been able to benefit from it. But I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin of everything I once loved about college football.


What changes? Right now we'll play 9 conference games and 3 cupcakes. If we split from the NCAA, we'd still play 9 conference games and 3 cupcakes. The difference would be that we don't have to put up with ******ed rankings that pretends the Big 12 and ACC are on par with the Power 2 conferences, or playoff "criteria" that puts Tulane and JMU in over much better teams.
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4
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10:37a, 12/9/25
AG
Either strength of schedule matters or it doesn't.

Apparently, it doesn't.

So it looks like they are the Smart ones and we are the stupid ones. They've proven they can play a bunch of pee wee football teams and get to the playoffs with a bye.

We like to scream about how tough the SEC is and we are in the number one conference, blah blah blah, yet here we are in the playoffs for the first time in our 13 year membership in the league.

We ought to move to the Big ten or a cream puff League like the ACC or Big 12 and guarantee a playoff spot every year for ourselves.
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gtaggie_08
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In reply to Angry Jonathan Zaludek • 10:38a, 12/9/25
AG
They don't play their last 5 at home. If you look over at the date of the game, they are all TBD. They just listed their OOC games first, the teams in conference they play on the road, then home conference games last.

But it's still a cupcake schedule no matter how you look at it. It's actually a bit of a joke and if they lose 1 game, there should be no way they make the playoff with that schedule
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Teslag
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In reply to Get Off My Lawn • 10:39a, 12/9/25
AG
Get Off My Lawn said:
I could see the SEC and B1G kicking the NCAA aside to develop an NFL replica, but with a promotion / relegation system attached.

Premier teams want to keep their lucrative positions but then get eclipsed by a cakewalking outsider like Tceh. The 2 legitimate conferences have the power to create something much more stable and sustainable, if they choose.

This is where it's going why Techs big money booster is frantically teaming up with democrats to pass a law to prevent it.

Tech is on the outside looking in as they bring nothing to the SEC/BIG
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Teslag
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In reply to Skubalon • 10:40a, 12/9/25
AG
Skubalon said:
Get Off My Lawn said:
I could see the SEC and B1G kicking the NCAA aside to develop an NFL replica, but with a promotion / relegation system attached.

Premier teams want to keep their lucrative positions but then get eclipsed by a cakewalking outsider like Tceh. The 2 legitimate conferences have the power to create something much more stable and sustainable, if they choose.

Serious question: would you really want that? Really?

That sounds awful to me personally. What you are describing sounds to me like an NFL minor league that happens to play its games on college campuses. I mean, we are almost to that point anyway, and I am not a fan despite how my team has been able to benefit from it. But I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin of everything I once loved about college football.



Yes I'd want that. I want to see the best programs and real competition. You don't need more than 35 to 40 teams for that. And let's be real, every school not in those conferences are reject ****holes and are where there are for a reason.
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The Banned
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In reply to 4 • 10:41a, 12/9/25
4 said:
Either strength of schedule matters or it doesn't.

Apparently, it doesn't.

So it looks like they are the Smart ones and we are the stupid ones. They've proven they can play a bunch of pee wee football teams and get to the playoffs with a bye.

We like to scream about how tough the SEC is and we are in the number one conference, blah blah blah, yet here we are in the playoffs for the first time in our 13 year membership in the league.

We ought to move to the Big ten or a cream puff League like the ACC or Big 12 and guarantee a playoff spot every year for ourselves.

This works as long as the ACC and Big 12 are allowed to be seen as equals. As soon as the ACC falls, that's all over. Miami, Clemson, FSU, Virginia, UNC are invited to join the big boys and the Big 12 is rightfully recognized as a Group of 6 league. The question whether or not Tech can spend enough to get an invite too.
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dabo man
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In reply to 4 • 10:42a, 12/9/25
AG
Problem with the BDF/ACC is that we would take a large revenue cut. At the end of the day, it really is about maximizing revenue.
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boyfriend
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In reply to The Banned • 10:43a, 12/9/25
The Banned said:
boyfriend said:
AgLA06 said:
Shooz in Katy said:
Can we go back to the Big 12 and go to the playoffs every year?


You forgot and be irrelevant and broke.


How much does conference affiliation matter in the NIL/transfer portal era? If the goal is making the playoffs every year then isn't it logical to take the path of least resistance like tech or ND? The conference games in the big12 would suck but you wouldn't be irrelevant if you make the playoffs more years than not. Tech hasn't had this much success since coach Leach.

CFB is still in transition, maybe we'll all be in a 40 team super conference soon and tech and ND won't be able to benefit from weaker opposition. But until then they have a big advantage.

The difference in conference money is felt over multiple years, not just one. There is a reason FSU and Clemson are desperate to get out of the ACC for the SEC or B1G. The are feeling what it's like to be severely behind in revenue. Tech is only benefitting this year because of an insanely wealthy donor. But that donor can't beat ESPN money over the course of a decade. And donor interest is going to waver if they keep spending tens of millions only to fall short in the playoffs again and again. What they're doing is impressive, but not sustainable.

I think Clemson and FSU are struggling because they have two incompetent coaches that have completely mismanaged their rosters in this era. To be fair to Clemson they've only really had one bad season but they are trending down because Dabo refuses to take advantage of free agency to fill his roster mis-evals and holes with transfers. Norvell has done the complete opposite and is playing mercenary ball with a large number of transfers.

If they move to the SEC they'll have more money but not more success.
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The Banned
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In reply to boyfriend • 10:50a, 12/9/25
boyfriend said:
The Banned said:
boyfriend said:
AgLA06 said:
Shooz in Katy said:
Can we go back to the Big 12 and go to the playoffs every year?


You forgot and be irrelevant and broke.


How much does conference affiliation matter in the NIL/transfer portal era? If the goal is making the playoffs every year then isn't it logical to take the path of least resistance like tech or ND? The conference games in the big12 would suck but you wouldn't be irrelevant if you make the playoffs more years than not. Tech hasn't had this much success since coach Leach.

CFB is still in transition, maybe we'll all be in a 40 team super conference soon and tech and ND won't be able to benefit from weaker opposition. But until then they have a big advantage.

The difference in conference money is felt over multiple years, not just one. There is a reason FSU and Clemson are desperate to get out of the ACC for the SEC or B1G. The are feeling what it's like to be severely behind in revenue. Tech is only benefitting this year because of an insanely wealthy donor. But that donor can't beat ESPN money over the course of a decade. And donor interest is going to waver if they keep spending tens of millions only to fall short in the playoffs again and again. What they're doing is impressive, but not sustainable.

I think Clemson and FSU are struggling because they have two incompetent coaches that have completely mismanaged their rosters in this era. To be fair to Clemson they've only really had one bad season but they are trending down because Dabo refuses to take advantage of free agency to fill his roster mis-evals and holes with transfers. Norvell has done the complete opposite and is playing mercenary ball with a large number of transfers.

If they move to the SEC they'll have more money but not more success.

I'm not talking about the results of particular seasons. I'm talking long term. If those schools continue to lag behind the big dogs in revenue, they will not be seen as destination jobs much longer. They'll be stepping stones in 10-20 years if they don't get into one of the Power 2 conferences. They both know it.
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Jarrin Jay
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10:50a, 12/9/25
AG
They will be a perennial CFP contender / participant in the Big 12. Their leadership and Campbell saw the opportunity and went all in. With aTm, tu, OU and preciously Nebraska leaving the Big 12 it is a JV conference that any decent SEC and upper level B1G team could easily go 11-1. This season BYU is literally probably about as good as Kentucky or MS State.

I would go so far as to say that between all the big programs in the area, cow, aTm, OU, Techincal, it is Tech that will have the most CFP appearances over the next 10 years unless / until the CFP expands to 16 and maybe even then.

The SEC should have found a different scheduling idea than going to 9 games and requiring a Power 4 game. Should have stayed at 8 and required at least 2 Power 4 games and also should have used leverage to force other leagues to also play at least 1 Power 4 out of conference game.
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The Banned
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In reply to Jarrin Jay • 10:53a, 12/9/25
No one is going to care about playoff appearances if thy never make it to the championship, and I don't think their easy schedule will prep them for what they're about to face. Now if they do win it all, being in a crappier league would make sense.
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Jarrin Jay
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In reply to gtaggie_08 • 10:54a, 12/9/25
AG
Well, could argue the same this season. At a minimum they should have been the lowest ranked 11-1 team, by the CFP committees own metric, yet they are #4.
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Jarrin Jay
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In reply to The Banned • 10:56a, 12/9/25
AG
I don't disagree just stating what I think will happen.

IMHO Oregon will best Tech easily in the Cotton Bowl.

But there is no doubt Tech has the easiest path to the CFP and opportunity to win a NC at some point vs aTm, tu, or OU.
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The Banned
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In reply to Jarrin Jay • 10:57a, 12/9/25
Jarrin Jay said:
I don't disagree just stating what I think will happen.

IMHO Oregon will best Tech easily in the Cotton Bowl.

But there is no doubt Tech has the easiest path to the CFP and opportunity to win a NC at some point vs aTm, tu, or OU.

Agreed with the bolded. But long term, if they don't get invited to one of the big conferences, they are screwed.
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Skubalon
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11:02a, 12/9/25
The SEC has made its own mess.

Y'all do realize that in the final CFP poll - the one that matters - the only one that matters - there are 5 Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25. You realize that, right?

Now, you can argue, and I know you will, that a 4-8 SEC team is way better than at least 80% of those teams. Who knows. Maybe you're right. Doesn't matter.

You know why? Yes, of course you do. Because a 4-8 team doesn't belong in a national title discussion that is decided by a committee.

Until college football gets to a place where national titles are decided in the same way that NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB champions are decided - with conferences and division and clear rules for who is in and who is out, it's going to be this way. And SEC teams are going to beat each other up and out of playoff contention, while teams like Tech and Notre Dame can build up impressive records and get high level seedings year in and year out.

The best thing that has ever happened to Texas Tech footballl is for Texas, OU, and A&M to get out of the way.

The SEC has forgotten that even in a league with dominating talent top to bottom, only a few teams every year are going to reap the benefits of winning.

I don't blame A&M at all for leaving for the SEC when it did. I think it was a great choice, even though it made me personally sad. But UT and OU are going to regret joining the SEC. And until a super division forms up a proper NFL minor league, wealthy teams like Tech are going to reap the benefits.
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The Banned
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In reply to Skubalon • 11:04a, 12/9/25
Completely agree. But I think that happens in 10 years. It will be a fun ride for y'all between now and then
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WhataMaroon88
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11:05a, 12/9/25
AG
Why worry about Tech or their schedule? The playoff committee has seen the weak Big 12 for what it is and 2 years in a row only give the conference winner a spot. That's fine with me. They are in the same boat as the AAC basically.
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Luke The Drifter
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In reply to Matsui • 11:09a, 12/9/25
AG
Matsui said:
They should go 12-0 there.


Let's be honest. If Tech doesn't find a way to go 18-0 in those 12 games, their season should be deemed a failure. What a joke of a schedule for an alleged "power" conference team.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
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He is Ass My Dude
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11:10a, 12/9/25
This is how you build a team that learns to win. See TCU when they had the easiest schedule in CFB two years in a row.

It got them into the Big 12.

That being said, weak sause by Tech.
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Tramp96
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In reply to Jarrin Jay • 11:13a, 12/9/25
Jarrin Jay said:
I don't disagree just stating what I think will happen.

IMHO Oregon will best Tech easily in the Cotton Bowl.

But there is no doubt Tech has the easiest path to the CFP and opportunity to win a NC at some point vs aTm, tu, or OU.


Well, good thing for Tech then that they aren't playing in the Cotton Bowl.
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Skubalon
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In reply to The Banned • 11:13a, 12/9/25
The Banned said:
Completely agree. But I think that happens in 10 years. It will be a fun ride for y'all between now and then

I agree. And it is yet to be determined if Tech will have a seat at the table. As an old guy and a Tech fan, I'm not sure I want them in that league... not because I'm concerned if they could be successful, but because I think when that eventually happens (and it will) that the things I really love about college sports won't exist. At least in that super division.

Maybe the smaller schools will continue to play college football, and the only people that will care about it are the people that love their schools. Maybe every game won't be televised, and the ones that are will only be on regional networks and local channels. Maybe none of those schools will have elite athletes who will make more money at 20 years old than I've made in my 40 year career. Maybe the bands will march and people will eat nachos and hot dogs and make lasting memories with their families because they can afford tickets to the games.

I think I might like that better. But that's just me.
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NoahAg
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11:14a, 12/9/25
Why don't we just join whatever conference Tulane or James Madison is in? 12-0 every year. Starters get plenty of rest. Backups get PT every game. Automatic playoff appearances.
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Onionman
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In reply to The Banned • 11:17a, 12/9/25
The Banned said:
dcg4403 said:
The Banned said:
Normally the Big 12 champ has no business in the playoffs. At least Tech bought enough talent that they may be able to compete. It will be interesting how they adjust/handle first tough team they've seen all year when Oregon makes its through.


I actually do think Tech is legit even with their questionable schedule.

Probably so, but they also never got punched in the mouth because they play scrubs. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the other team puts up a fight

They did get punched in the mouth by ASU.

But they claim that game doesn't count because their back-up QB was playing. Even though their back-up Qb not too shabby and their D gave up more yards to ASU than Miss St did vs ASU.
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Get Off My Lawn
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In reply to Skubalon • 11:19a, 12/9/25
Skubalon said:
Get Off My Lawn said:
I could see the SEC and B1G kicking the NCAA aside to develop an NFL replica, but with a promotion / relegation system attached.

Premier teams want to keep their lucrative positions but then get eclipsed by a cakewalking outsider like Tceh. The 2 legitimate conferences have the power to create something much more stable and sustainable, if they choose.

Serious question: would you really want that? Really?

That sounds awful to me personally. What you are describing sounds to me like an NFL minor league that happens to play its games on college campuses. I mean, we are almost to that point anyway, and I am not a fan despite how my team has been able to benefit from it. But I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin of everything I once loved about college football.

Pandora's box is wide open. I'm not saying I like it, but I fricken hate the continually expanding playoff and all the whining about all the disparities and selection and reform and the Wild West of player/coaching departures, and decommits, and yada yada yada. For all its warts the NFL has enviable parity and stability. Although it doesn't save us, one silver lining is that minor league college football would resemble what we used to love.

I want the water cooler conversations to return to players, plays, matchups, etc. This current drama ridden off-field chaos is a joy vacuum. A joint AFC/NFC like product by SEC/B1G with similar rules seems like the only practicable option that gets us back to that.
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Who?mikejones!
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In reply to Bag • 11:22a, 12/9/25
Hey, abilene is a playoff team
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Who?mikejones!
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In reply to NoahAg • 11:24a, 12/9/25
NoahAg said:
Why don't we just join whatever conference Tulane or James Madison is in? 12-0 every year. Starters get plenty of rest. Backups get PT every game. Automatic playoff appearances.


Its not a terrible idea
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