No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction
Nov 7, 2025, 11:22 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas – BYU vs Texas Tech has everything you want in a college football game.
A conference championship and College Football Playoff implications are on the line. Then you have two programs looking to prove to the nation that they are more than the nation has always thought of them.
It’s a stage that these two programs rarely, if ever, get to experience.
BYU enters the matchup ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings, while Texas Tech is one spot behind at No. 8.
The Cougars are one of four undefeated teams remaining with an 8-0 record.
Today’s game marks the third all-time meeting between these two programs, and it’s BYU’s first visit to Lubbock since 1940.
No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech
Location: Jones AT&T Stadium
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (MST)/11 a.m. (CST)
TV: ABC
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM) — Extended pregame begins at 7 a.m.
Three Game Day Thoughts
1. It’s time to play the game
In the words of “Big Daddy Marc” on TikTok, “It’s time to play the game!”
After a week that featured a lot of media coverage and hype, it’s time to get this Top 10 clash underway. It should be a dandy of a football game.
Texas Tech is a balanced squad with firepower everywhere you look. The Red Raiders are undefeated this season with Behren Morton at quarterback.
Extended pregame: BYU vs. Texas Tech on @kslnewsradio kicks off at 7 a.m. from here in Lubbock. pic.twitter.com/2Wrz8xYECp
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 8, 2025
Many people point to what Tech did to Utah as a warning that could happen to BYU today. Keep in mind, Utah’s Devon Dampier was banged up in that game. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier continues to find his stride and has gotten better with each game.
There are numerous subplots to this game, with an epic backdrop that was incredible, as Raiderville, adjacent to Jones AT&T Stadium, was a stunning scene until Friday morning.
These two programs are showing that the new-look Big 12 can play some big-time football.
2. Find unexpected yards
BYU has done a great job of having success in areas that many don’t discuss going into a game. The Cougars’ special team unit has been a weapon, and with Parker Kingston as a punt returner, could he pick up some momentum-changing yards that swing things in favor of BYU?
ESPN's Rece Davis on BYU QB Bear Bachmeier. pic.twitter.com/SeKsmbVmjJ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 8, 2025
Additionally, BYU has a plus-10 turnover margin this season. If they generate some takeaways on Texas Tech QB Behren Morton, can they also get some return yardage on the pick to set up a short field for Bear Bachmeier and the offense? Those types of plays will be crucial in determining the outcome of this game.
3. BYU’s offensive line vs. Texas Tech’s defensive front
The BYU offensive line will have its toughest test to date this season, going up against the Texas Tech defensive line.
Tech’s David Bailey leads the country in sacks with 11.5. He’s elite. But it’s not only him. It’s Jacob Rodriguez, it’s Lee Hunter, Romello Height, and others.
BYU’s offensive line, particularly Isaiah Jatta and Andrew Gentry, has to be elite in this game. It’s the type of game that can put those guys on NFL draft boards if they perform at a high level, with the kind of talent they are going to go up against on the opposing side.
Two BYU vs Texas Tech Questions
1. Will LJ Martin look like his usual self?
BYU running back LJ Martin is going to play on Saturday. But everyone is wondering, will he be at full strength? BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick noted that his star running back will likely not be at 100%. But can he still be the physical runner he has been this entire season? That’s to be determined.
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Martin is the No. 1 running back in the Big 12 this year. He’s going up against the No. 1 rush defense in the nation.
The highest amount of rushing yards Tech has allowed in a game this year was 126 yards. That was last week against Kansas State. If the combination of Martin and QB Bear Bachmeier can get the Cougars over 150 rushing yards, they could be in a position to have a chance for the upset.
2. How does BYU pull off the upset?
BYU is a sizable underdog in this game. But as you would expect from a Kalani Sitake team, they tend to thrive in spots where they are heavy underdogs.
The last time BYU was a double-digit underdog, it knocked off SMU, a team in the College Football Playoff, in Texas. Could history repeat itself with BYU knocking off a potential Playoff team in Texas?
It’s not impossible. However, BYU will need its best performance this year to achieve it.
To pull off the upset, BYU has to get off to a fast start.
BYU found itself down by double figures against Iowa State. That can’t happen against this Texas Tech team, with the energized crowd that will be here in West Texas.
BYU needs to win the turnover margin. Texas Tech is outstanding at forcing fumbles. The Red Raiders have forced 21 fumbles this year, and Rodriguez is the best of the group at doing that. Last week, Rodriguez forced two fumbles against Kansas State.
Ball security will be at a premium. Bear Bachmeier only has three interceptions this year, and he’s going up against a Tech secondary that has been prone to giving up yards through the air.
The BYU defense is excellent at generating takeaways. If that happens, BYU’s offense needs to pounce on the momentum with a quick strike score. Maybe even a Faletau Satuala pick-six, as he produced in Ames two weeks ago, could go a long way to quieting the crowd and putting BYU in a position to pull off the win.
BYU needs at least two methodical drives that include 10 or more plays. And on those drives, they need to end with touchdowns.
Then they need Bear Bachmeier to be a superstar.
That’s a lot to ask, but BYU has shown itself to be a tough team that doesn’t get fazed by hostile environments.
One Score Prediction for BYU vs Texas Tech
It would be easy to pick Texas Tech in this game. Because honestly, BYU could go 3-1 in its final four games and still reach the Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington. Whereas Texas Tech, this feels more like a “must-win” for them.
Still, BYU aims to make a statement and join the elite teams in college football this season.
Maybe it’s a bit of a “vibe check” pick rather than actual data, but I’ll call for BYU to pull off the win.
The Cougars put together a balanced offensive attack and are plus-two in the turnover margin, leading to the upset win over the Red Raiders.
Score Prediction: BYU 31, Texas Tech 30
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
