K-State has dominated Texas Tech in recent years, but these Red Raiders are different
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- K-State has won 12 of the last 13 matchups, but Texas Tech poses new threats.
- Texas Tech revamped trenches and leads Big 12 in sacks and turnovers forced.
- K-State must score explosively and contain sack leader David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez.
If Kansas State and Texas Tech were longtime rivals, much more would be made about the one-sided nature of their football series.
The Wildcats have won eight straight games (and 12 of the past 13) against the Red Raiders. They haven’t lost to Texas Tech since 2015, so long ago that Patrick Mahomes was the starting quarterback in Lubbock.
You rarely see that kind of dominance between two teams in the Big 12.
Still, K-State football coach Chris Klieman doesn’t think his team’s history with Texas Tech will do much to help the Wildcats when they host the No. 13 Red Raiders at 2:30 p.m. Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Why? Because Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) has found a new identity this season under head coach Joey McGuire.
“We haven’t played them since 2023, and they are a totally different team now with different coordinators and stuff,” Klieman said. “Joey has got them rolling, and he’s got them playing really well. I know they got tripped up at Arizona State, but they won at Utah and Houston. Those are tough places to go and win, and they did that. So that’s why we have got to get it cranked up in here on Saturday.”
Football fans have had to forget much of what they once knew about Texas Tech this season.
The Red Raiders are no longer known for a high-flying offense and a weak defense. They aren’t trying to win shootouts every week.
K-State has averaged 33.5 points per game during its winning streak against Texas Tech. But the Wildcats will need a spectacular showing on offense to reach that number on Saturday. The Red Raiders are only allowing an average of 12.4 points per game this season.
Now, they are best known for their defense.
McGuire spent wisely during the offseason and brought in one of the best transfer classes in all of college football. Texas Tech improved the most in the trenches, and that shows in their numbers. Texas Tech is only allowing 68.1 rushing yards per game. They also lead the Big 12 in sacks and fumbled forced.
K-State, which has won three of its past four games, will need to account for Big 12 sacks leader David Bailey at all times. Jacob Rodriguez is another name to watch. He has forced a whopping five fumbles this season.
“They’ve got really, really good players across the board,” Klieman said. “And it’s not just the defensive line. But I think those linebackers are really good players. They’re clean a lot too, because you have got to double so many guys up front and try to keep a hat on a hat that those linebackers run and hit.”
Texas Tech has used its infusion of transfer talent to vault near the top of the Big 12 standings this season. The Red Raiders have been favored to win the conference all year, and their path to Arlington, Texas for the league’s championship game will become easier if they are able to end their losing streak against K-State.
The Wildcats (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) have other plans. But winning this game won’t be as simple as it traditionally has been for K-State against Texas Tech.
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 12:17 PM with the headline "K-State has dominated Texas Tech in recent years, but these Red Raiders are different."