Texas Tech Football Dropped to No. 12 in AP Poll
The Red Raiders slid one spot in the latest rankings while maintaining a top-10 position in the Coaches poll.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Football
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Texas Tech football fell to No. 12 in the most recent Associated Press poll following a week five update. The team received 1,053 total votes after previously holding the No. 11 spot.
Why it matters
The team remains a significant presence in national rankings, as it continues to hold a No. 10 spot in the Coaches poll. This position reflects the team's ongoing standing within a competitive group of five ranked Big 12 programs.
Texas Tech sits at No. 12 in the AP poll with 1,053 total votes, while Big 12 peers BYU, Utah, Oklahoma State, and Houston also hold rankings. The Red Raiders concurrently maintain a No. 10 position in the Coaches poll.
The players
Texas Tech
Texas Tech is the public research university located in Lubbock that fields the Red Raiders football team.
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American non-profit news agency that publishes influential weekly rankings for college football teams.
The details
Texas Tech began the current season at No. 12 before moving through the rankings over the last five weeks. The university, based in Lubbock, continues its campaign amid a league where five total teams are currently represented in the AP top 25.
Timeline
Texas Tech began the season ranked No. 12 five weeks ago.
The Associated Press released the latest football poll on September 27, 2026.
Texas Tech is scheduled to play Colorado in Boulder on October 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This ranking movement follows the established volatility of the 2026 college football season poll cycle. The fluctuation reflects the competitive pressure facing Big 12 contenders as they jockey for position before critical mid-season matchups.
The drop to No. 12 moves Texas Tech behind BYU in the AP rankings, which could impact the team's path toward a higher seed in postseason considerations. Fans and analysts will now look to the upcoming game against Colorado as a pivotal moment for the team to reclaim momentum.
The takeaway
Maintaining a top-10 Coaches poll ranking despite the slide in the AP poll suggests the team remains highly regarded by coaches even as media sentiment shifts. Staying focused on the next opponent is the primary objective for the team as they prepare for a challenging road game.
What happens next
Texas Tech will travel to face Colorado in Boulder on October 3, 2026, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
Further reading
For more on the team's performance, visit our Football section.
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