Texas Tech took care of business in its season opener, but apparently a 23-point victory wasn’t enough to keep the Red Raiders from sliding a spot in the national rankings.

The Red Raiders dropped to No. 13 in both the Associated Press and U.S. LBM Coaches polls Tuesday following their 33-10 win over Abilene Christian.

It’s not exactly something Texas Tech fans need to lose sleep over.

More importantly, the Red Raiders remain the highest-ranked team in the Big 12, and they have plenty of opportunities ahead to start climbing again.

BYU checks in at No. 15 this week, followed by Utah at No. 20. Houston moved up one spot to No. 22, giving the Big 12 four teams in the national rankings.

That Houston ranking is worth watching.

Texas Tech travels to Oregon State this weekend before opening Big 12 play against the Cougars. Houston hosts Southern on Saturday night, meaning wins by both teams could set up a ranked matchup when conference play begins.

For Texas Tech, staying in the rankings has become the expectation rather than the exception.

The Red Raiders have appeared in the top 25 of both major polls every week since the beginning of the 2025 season. Last year, Tech climbed all the way to No. 4 before finishing the season ranked No. 7, the highest final ranking in program history in either poll.

Now the challenge is proving last season wasn’t a one-year run.

The opening win over Abilene Christian wasn’t going to answer every question about this Texas Tech team, but a 33-10 victory is still a comfortable way to begin a season. The Red Raiders got the win, avoided an early upset and can now turn their attention toward a road test at Oregon State.

Win there, and nobody in Lubbock will care much about falling from No. 12 to No. 13 in early September.

At the top of the rankings, Ohio State remains No. 1 in both polls ahead of one of the biggest games of the young season. The Buckeyes travel to Austin for a top-five showdown with Texas.

Georgia sits at No. 2 in both polls. The AP has Notre Dame at No. 3, Texas at No. 4 and Indiana at No. 5. The coaches have Texas at No. 3 and Notre Dame at No. 4.

For Red Raider fans, though, the number that matters right now is 13.

Texas Tech is still nationally relevant, still the Big 12’s highest-ranked team and still positioned to move up as the schedule gets tougher.

September rankings don’t win championships, but being in the conversation every single week certainly beats trying to fight your way into it.

The Red Raiders have done that part.

Now they have to keep winning.