No. 11 Texas Tech turns up late to oust Sam Houston 49-14

The Red Raiders needed a second half to shake off another slow start. Sam Houston kept things close early, giving Texas Tech a scare before the Red Raiders pulled away late.

For fans who packed Galaxy Stadium, the final score looked comfortable. The story of the game, though, was another shaky opening half against an outmatched opponent, a pattern that matters for a ranked team facing tougher competition once conference play begins.

A blowout final score can hide a nervier night on the field, and Texas Tech's slow starts are starting to look like a trend worth watching.