Image courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics.

---

Willie Fritz is taking his Houston Cougars into Lubbock, Texas, on Friday night to square off against the reigning conference champions: Texas Tech Red Raiders. 

This is the first ranked matchup of the conference season, between two championship contenders, no less. It’s a Lone Star Showdown for two teams with something to prove.

Houston entered the season ranked 23rd in the AP Top 25. After Coach Fritz’s first year, he brought in transfer quarterback Conner Weigman. Weigman had a fantastic 2025 season, and his favorite target, Amare Thomas, is back with him in 2026. The 2025 Cougars turned a page from an ugly season prior to a 10-win season with a victory in the Texas Bowl against LSU. The Cougars are off to a 2-0 start this season, surviving a challenge at home to Oregon State and a blowout win over Southern.

Texas Tech enjoyed an incredible season with one of the best teams money could buy. The Red Raiders have been the shining stars of the NIL era, bringing in multiple top-five recruiting and transfer portal classes in recent memory. 

Head Coach Joey McGuire led his team to a Big 12 title and a four-seed in the College Football Playoffs. Boasting the nation’s best defense, led by linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and defensive end David Bailey, Texas Tech was shut out by Oregon in the CFP quarterfinal. 

This offseason didn’t do McGuire any favors. After a gambling scandal surrounding Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby, McGuire landed on a not-so-flattering two-deep: Will Hammond and Tommy Castellanos. Rest assured, the Red Raiders still have a solid defense and a potential Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year candidate in running back J’Koby Williams. 

Texas Tech’s quarterback conundrum is an interesting one. Castellanos was a late, fifth-year addition to the roster and has been used in a limited capacity. That could change, however, along with its entire offensive identity, if he’s utilized more. 

Texas Tech hasn’t necessarily exploded off the starting blocks this season. In its two wins, a 23-point win over Abilene Christian and an 11-point win at Oregon State, the Red Raiders have faced issues on each side of the ball. They still sit comfortably inside the Top 15, but getting Houston in a raucous home environment should help, though.

These teams interestingly both survived battles against Oregon State to open the season. There are stars on both sides of the ball, but this game is a prove-it for these two programs this season. When fans wake up Saturday morning, they’ll know who has dealt the first major blow towards the title. Now, all they can do is wait.

Follow @stephen.edwards77 on Instagram for more Big 12 content.