Game week is here. Along with that, college football is here.
I mean, yes, we just had Week 0, but the Red Raiders weren’t involved in that at all. Now, finally, we get to see some Texas Tech football. It’s happening this week. The offseason is officially over for Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders. Now we get to see some football from one of the most exciting Texas Tech teams in quite some time.
And let’s be honest here—this season feels different. There’s plenty of hype and intrigue surrounding McGuire and the Texas Tech football season, and that’s not just empty offseason chatter. Fans and analysts alike are paying attention because of the way McGuire and his coaching staff overhauled and drastically improved the roster with one of the best transfer portal classes in the country.
When you combine that with player development and the returning leadership already in Lubbock, it creates a sense of possibility that hasn’t surrounded this program in years.
What’s New for the Red Raiders in 2025?
On Monday, during a press conference, Texas Tech’s head coach Joey McGuire gave fans a preview of some of the changes they’ll notice this season.
One of the most obvious? The team’s physical presence.
“I think just one will be the size of the team as a whole,” McGuire explained. “I think we’re as athletic as we’ve ever been, especially since I’ve been here.”
That’s not just coach-speak—it’s the kind of statement that lines up with what fans have wanted to see on the recruiting trail and through the portal. For years, Tech supporters have been asking for a roster that doesn’t just rely on grit and scheme, but one that also looks the part physically when stacked up against the best programs in the country. McGuire and his staff have delivered on that front.
But size and speed only matter if they translate into effort and execution. And McGuire made it clear that he’s emphasizing exactly that.
“One thing that we talk about all the time is whenever people watch the game, when they turn on the tape, when they turn on the TV, the ‘oh my gosh’ factor of how hard these guys play,” McGuire said.
That “oh my gosh” factor is something Texas Tech fans have craved for years. The talent gap in the Big 12 has closed in some areas, but the programs that consistently compete at the top are the ones that combine talent with relentless effort. McGuire knows this, and he’s banking on his roster to embody that style of play.
He added: “We talk about it all the time, a team that truly cares about each other plays for each other. They play at a different level and so I’m expecting our guys to play extremely hard on Saturday.”
That’s the culture piece. That’s the part that often gets overlooked in offseason previews. You can bring in talent, you can win in the portal, but if players aren’t connected, motivated, and united, it won’t matter. McGuire has hammered this idea since day one in Lubbock, and it feels like we’re about to see the most complete version of that philosophy yet.
Why This Season Feels Different
Yes, opening weekend against Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a game the Red Raiders should win comfortably. But the buzz around this team isn’t just about one game—it’s about the bigger picture.
Texas Tech hasn’t consistently been in the national spotlight since the Mike Leach years. There have been flashes, like the magical 2008 run and some thrilling upsets over the years, but Tech fans have been waiting for sustained momentum. That’s why this season feels so important.
When McGuire says things like, “I’ve never been more excited about a season,” it’s not just a throwaway line.
“It’s great to see everybody,” McGuire told the media. “You’ve heard me say it in the last month, I’ve never been more excited about a season.”
That’s a bold statement for a man who has been around football for decades, at both the high school and college level. Coaches don’t usually go out of their way to elevate expectations unless they truly believe in what they have.
And the reason for his excitement? It goes beyond wins and losses.
“For a lot of reasons, roster talent, but more than anything, just the men that we’ve brought into this building and the growth of the guys returning and all the new guys,” McGuire explained.
That right there is the formula: retain key contributors, add high-level transfers, and create a culture where everyone is pushing in the same direction.
What to Expect in the Season Opener
Saturday night at 6:30 p.m., the Red Raiders will face off against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions. On paper, it’s a mismatch. Texas Tech is bigger, faster, deeper, and simply more talented across the board.
But that doesn’t mean this game doesn’t matter.
Fans should watch for how sharp the Red Raiders look out of the gate. Early-season openers against overmatched opponents are less about the score and more about execution. Are the offensive linemen in sync? Do the quarterbacks look comfortable? Is the defense flying around and making plays without giving up big busted coverages?
Most importantly, does the team play with that “oh my gosh” factor McGuire talked about?
If the answer is yes, then fans can start getting genuinely excited about what this group might accomplish once conference play begins.
The Bigger Picture for 2025
Texas Tech doesn’t just want to be good this year—they want to establish themselves as a consistent contender. With the Big 12 shifting after recent realignments, there’s an opening for programs like Tech to claim a spot among the new conference powers.
And this roster has the potential to do just that.
There are going to be challenges, of course. Road games in hostile environments, injuries, and the grind of the Big 12 schedule will all test this team. But with depth improved across multiple positions, Tech looks more prepared to handle adversity than in recent years.
For McGuire, this season represents an opportunity to take a major step forward in his vision for the program. For fans, it represents a chance to believe again—not just in pulling off the occasional upset, but in building something that lasts.
Final Thoughts
The season is finally here, folks. Texas Tech football is right around the corner. Starting this Saturday, we’ll be right in it as we get to watch what could be one of the most intriguing seasons that the Red Raider football program has been a part of in quite some time.
And it’s not just fans who feel that way. McGuire himself is setting the tone, saying he’s never been more excited for a season. That’s not something to dismiss—it’s something to lean into.
For now, all eyes are on Saturday night. The Red Raiders have a chance to show what this new-look roster and new-level culture can do.
