West Texas
LubbockAmarilloSoonMidland / OdessaSoonBig SpringSoonAbileneSoon
News/Local News

Local News

Did Texas Tech football fall in national rankings after Week 1 slog? - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Did Texas Tech football fall in national rankings after Week 1 slog? - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Texas Tech football slipped one spot to No.

The Red Raiders entered the 2026 regular season ranked 12th in both major national polls. While a win is always good, the team's Week 1 performance against Abilene Christian was described as "so-so," which apparently led to a slight dip in their national perception. The coaches poll, released Tuesday, confirmed their drop.

This shift means the Red Raiders are now trailing teams like Alabama, who jumped ahead of them in the coaches poll. They still hold a lead over fellow Big 12 rival BYU, sitting two spots higher. The team's next opponent is Houston, ranked 22nd nationally, with Utah also in the top 20 at No. 20.

Falling one spot after a decisive victory certainly raises questions about what the national voters are truly looking for.

Common questions

What is Texas Tech football's new ranking in the national polls?

Texas Tech slipped one spot to No. 13 in both the Associated Press Top 25 and US LBM Coaches Poll following the first week of the season. The Red Raiders previously entered the 2026 regular season ranked 12th in both major national polls before their recent dip in perception.

Stay in the loop

Weekly Lubbock news, deals, and events. Free.

Read next