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Articles by Patrick Conn
Texas Tech is among the 12 best teams in preseason US LBM coaches poll
Aug. 4, 2026, 11:12 a.m. CT The countdown to the 2026 college football season rolls on as we approach a month away from the season opener against Abilene Christian. Last season, the Texas Tech Red Raiders finished as the No. 7 team in the country. Where would they land in the preseason US LBM coaches poll? It turns out that Texas Tech will open the year as the No. 12 team, just ahead of the LSU Tigers.
Pair of former Red Raiders to challenge 'Five for Five' eligibility
More athletes are looking to challenge the "Five for Five" rule in college athletics, including a pair of former Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Texas Tech lands among CFB's easiest schedules for 2026 season
July 18, 2026, 11:41 a.m. ET We are just over a month away from the college football season, and the national pundits are staking their claim on who has the hardest and not-so-hard schedules in the sport. What comes as no surprise, considering Steve Sarkisian's comments, is that the Texas Tech Red Raiders are among the easiest at the Power Four level. Brad Crawford of CBS Sports even went as far as to say only NC State has an easier campaign ahead.
Measuring 136 FBS college football teams by Sustained Win-Rate (SWR) Original
July 15, 2026, 10:29 a.m. ET There are so many ways we like to measure college football teams. Every day, it seems like an analyst is coming up with a new way to dissect this argument to place "team x" on top of the college football landscape. But what if we had a metric to measure teams by that goes beyond what the win column looks like? Let's be honest, not every win is the same.
Texas Tech men's basketball gets major boost with JT Toppin’s return Original
July 8, 2026, 12:58 p.m. ET On Tuesday, the basketball world shifted a bit in the Big 12. The Texas Tech Red Raiders announced the return of a key player who missed the postseason run last season. Big man JT Toppin will be back in the starting five as the Red and Black look to run it back in the 2026-27 season. Anyone associated with the men's basketball program knows what they lost when JT Toppin went down with an injury against the Arizona State Sun Devils back in February.
Texas Tech, Big 12 ready for war with sanctions likely looming Original
June 10, 2026, 1:58 p.m. CT Even if the Big 12 is considering sanctions against Texas Tech to prevent Brendan Sorsby from playing football, the Red Raiders are fully prepared to meet the conference with legal action. It appears that Texas Tech vs everybody is about to be full throttle. The Big 12 recently met with all 16 athletic directors, and only one man in the room was in favor of Brendan Sorsby playing. Of course, that was Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt.
Teams that Texas Tech has never played in football
June 4, 2026, 9:34 a.m. CT On Wednesday, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire stated that they are expecting to announce a home-and-home series with a "major blue blood." McGuire added that it won't be Texas because they're scared. Most reports indicate that Tech has been in discussions with teams such as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and USC Trojans. USC would be an interesting opponent for the Red Raiders, as they would face former backup quarterback and assistant coach Lincoln Riley.
Texas 2-Step: Lady Raiders and Longhorns battle for softball supremacy
The rematch between the Texas Tech Lady Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on the softball field begins on Wednesday night. This is the matchup that NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech have waited a full year for. Canady has one final shot at winning a national championship before calling it a career. Texas Tech continues to break the mold in college athletics, which has ruffled some feathers, as it has been painted as the villain of the college sports world. And that's ok with them.
Paul Finebaum rips NCAA after Brendan Sorsby's reinstatment is denied
May 27, 2026, 12:04 p.m. CT It seems as though everyone has an opinion about Brendan Sorsby and what the NCAA should do with the gambling probe. The Texas Tech quarterback was denied reinstatement by the NCAA, which wasn't a shock to anyone who is following this storyline. It was always going to be handled in the courts.
Brendan Sorsby vs. NCAA: The case looks less favorable with latest news
There is another twist in the ongoing Brendan Sorsby vs the NCAA case. After filing a lawsuit in Lubbock County, the presiding judge has recused himself, according to Ryan Autullo of Bloomberg Law. Judge Phillip Hays, who holds two degrees from Texas Tech, didn't give a reason for recusing himself from the case. However, if we are completely honest, that is an immense amount of pressure. Not to mention it could be viewed as a conflict of interest.
Former Texas Tech pitcher continues his winning ways for White Sox
Former Texas Tech pitcher Davis Martin is on an absolute heater to begin the 2026 MLB season. Martin was drafted by the Chicago White Sox after his junior season with the Red Raiders in 2018. It would take him until 2022 to finally get the call-up to the show. That even had its ups and downs, leading to this season.
Big 12 Tournament schedule announced
It is time for the Big 12 Baseball Tournament presented by Allstate. Each game will be played at the spring training stadium in Surprise, Arizona, where the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers play. The Texas Tech Red Raiders barely qualified for the postseason after beating Cincinnati on Saturday, and a loss by the Arizona Wildcats gave them the final slot in the tournament.
Big 12 Tournament schedule announced, Tech kicks off postseason
It is time for the Big 12 Baseball Tournament presented by Allstate. Each game will be played at the spring training stadium in Surprise, Arizona, where the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers play. The Texas Tech Red Raiders barely qualified for the postseason after beating Cincinnati on Saturday, and a loss by the Arizona Wildcats gave them the final slot in the tournament.
Schedule revealed for Texas Tech vs Florida softball Super Regional
May 18, 2026, 8:51 a.m. CT After blasting the Ole Miss Rebels 14-2 on Sunday, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders are off to the Super Regionals, where they will face off with the hosting Florida Gators. The winner in a best-of-three series will move on to play for a national championship at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Head coach Gerry Glasco is looking to make back-to-back trips to OKC. The win over Ole Miss was a milestone for the program; it was the team's No. 55 win on the season.
Lauren Allred sparks epic 7th inning, Tech finishes historic comeback
May 16, 2026, 6:04 p.m. CT For the first six and a half innings of Saturday's matchup between Ole Miss and Texas Tech, it was miserable for the Red and Black. The Lady Raiders were down 4-0 after six, and the margin grew to 8-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh. For much of the game, Tech had been held without a hit. And then the bottom of the 7th happened.
Lubbock to host the NCAA Regional this weekend, schedule revealed Original
Updated May 12, 2026, 10:02 a.m. CT Texas Tech is getting set to host three other teams in the NCAA Lubbock Regional from Tracy Sellers Field this weekend. For the first time in team history, the Lady Raiders softball team made it to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. The standard continues to be set under head coach Gerry Glasco. The Ole Miss Rebels, Boston University Terriers, and Marist Red Foxes will join the field for the Lubbock Regional.
Expectations have been reset for Texas Tech Lady Raiders softball
The taste of defeat at the hands of the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday left many with a grimace on their face. Couple that with the only team in the NCAA with at least 50 wins ahead of the tournament, given the No. 11 seed. Texas Tech was dominant all season, but the RPI metric dropped them down to that No. 11 seed and is on pace for a collision with the No. 6-seeded Florida Gators.
Texas Tech football adds another key contributor to the 2027 class
May 9, 2026, 3:28 p.m. CT Texas Tech football continues on a hot streak with the latest commitment from four-star wide receiver Julian Caldwell. The Argyle wideout chose the Red Raiders over the Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns. According to 247Sports' composite rating, Caldwell is ranked as the No. 17 wide receiver in Texas and the No. 93 overall prospect. Caldwell made the decision on Saturday afternoon, and it was broadcast on YouTube.
Rivals released updated rankings, Texas Tech is top three for 2027
April 29, 2026, 1:38 p.m. ET While many are focused on what is going on in the Texas Tech quarterback's room, the staff is currently on the recruiting trails as spring football is all wrapped up. The Red Raiders are on an absolute heater when it comes to the 2027 class that will be signed this winter. The class is led by five-star defensive tackle and the nation's No. 1 prospect, Jalen Brewster.
Report: The Bearcats knew about Sorsby and played him anyway
April 28, 2026, 8:23 a.m. CT The foundation of the Texas Tech 2026 football season was rocked a bit on Monday when the bombshell news surfaced regarding starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby taking a medical leave of absence. The transfer is stepping away to seek treatment for a gambling addiction. According to one ESPN report, Sorsby made thousands of online bets throughout his collegiate career.
Texas Tech-Oklahoma baseball game set for Tuesday has been canceled
April 27, 2026, 1:47 p.m. CT Texas Tech's baseball game against the Oklahoma Sooners in Frisco, Texas, has been canceled, according to their X account. The Red Raiders and Sooners met to open the season in the Shriners Children's College Classic in Arlington, and there won't be a rematch this season. Per the release, the game was canceled due to projected inclement weather, and it will not be rescheduled. All tickets and parking purchased will be refunded.
Texas Tech announces Brendan Sorsby's medical leave of absence
April 27, 2026, 12:20 p.m. CT The Texas Tech athletic department released some sobering news on Monday. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby will be on a medical leave of absence. The source of the absence is due to a gambling addiction. With the continuous push for gambling across all sports, it doesn't seem to be a huge surprise that athletes are continuing to struggle with. The hope is that Sorsby will get the help he needs to deal with this addiction.
Rough season continues for Texas Tech after weekend sweep vs the Pokes Original
April 27, 2026, 8:35 a.m. CT It was a pleasant start to the week for Texas Tech baseball after the Red Raiders took care of Tarleton State and ACU by a combined 22-4 score on back-to-back days. However, those smiles were quickly erased when the Oklahoma State Cowboys visited the Rip over the weekend. The poor showing began on Friday, when Tech fell to the Pokes 16-6 in seven innings to start the three-game skid.
Reggie Virgil becomes the sixth Red Raider drafted
April 25, 2026, 2:38 p.m. ET The first Red Raider on Day 3 is officially off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals selected wide receiver Reggie Virgil with the No. 143 overall selection. Virgil joins fellow drafted Cardinals Jeremiyah Love, Chase Bisontis, Carson Beck, and Kalem Proctor. This selection will team up Virgil with Marvin Harrison Jr, Kendrick Bourne, Michael Wilson, and Devin Duvernay.
Miami double dips with selection of another Red Raider, Caleb Douglas
April 24, 2026, 9:18 p.m. CT The Miami Dolphins must really like Texas Tech. Caleb Douglas was selected No. 75 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, not too long after the Fins selected Jacob Rodriguez with pick No. 43. Douglas joined the Red Raiders prior to the 2024 season after transferring from the Florida Gators. Now he will head back to Florida to suit up with the Dolphins. During his time with Florida, Douglas appeared in 13 games with 21 receptions for 308 yards and three touchdowns.
Jacob Rodriguez is heading to the Sunshine State to play in the NFL
April 24, 2026, 7:08 p.m. CT Texas Tech saw the first player come off the board with the No. 2 overall selection when the Jets took David Bailey. Most believed it wouldn't be long until his defensive co-hort, Jacob Rodriguez, heard his name. Rodriguez played on another level this past season on one of the most improved units in college football. He earned his way into being a top linebacker and finally heard his name called with the No. 43 overall selection.
Broadcast, streaming details for Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft
April 24, 2026, 9:27 a.m. CT On Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, only one Red Raider found his way to center stage after being selected, and it came very early on. Edge rusher David Bailey became the second overall selection and the highest drafted defensive player in Texas Tech history, surpassing E.J. Holub, who was drafted No. 6 overall to the Dallas Texans in the 1961 AFL Draft. Heading into Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, there are plenty of Texas Tech players waiting to hear their names called.
New York Jets take David Bailey with the No. 2 overall selection
April 23, 2026, 7:20 p.m. CT For the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off with a bang. Edge rusher David Bailey comes off the board in the first round. It was never a matter of if he would be drafted on day one; it was a matter of when. Bailey's name really shot up the media boards since the season ended. In January, he was consistently mocked around the No. 9 spot and has been climbing ever since.
Two former Red Raiders announced where they will play next season
April 22, 2026, 4:11 p.m. CT Two former Red Raiders made decisions on where they will play for the 2026-27 college basketball season on Wednesday. The first was LeJuan Watts, followed shortly by Jazz Henderson. The former is returning to the state where he played his first two seasons of college basketball. The latter is going to take a step down from the Power Five conferences. Watts made stops with the Eastern Washington Eagles and Washington State Cougars before coming to Lubbock last season.
Texas Tech shortstop Linkin Garcia recognized among the best in nation
April 22, 2026, 12:56 p.m. CT Coming off the heels of the Red Raiders' 13-3 run-rule victory over Tarleton State, Texas Tech shortstop Linkin Garcia is being recognized among the nation's best. Garcia was responsible for the hit that clinched the run rule in the Red Raiders' 7-inning victory. On Wednesday, it was announced that Garcia was named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award. This award is presented annually to the best shortstop in the nation.
Top-ranked offensive tackle Jordan Seaton makes major announcement
Jan. 13, 2026, 10:10 a.m. ET Another major player just hit the transfer portal. Former five-star signee with the Colorado Buffaloes announced he would be entering the transfer portal on Monday evening. Jordan Seaton signed with head coach Deion Sandes ahead of the 2024 season, and just two years later, he will see what opportunities await him in the transfer portal. Coming out of high school, Seaton was ranked as the No. 13 overall player and No. 1 offensive tackle.
Where Clemson ranks among best college football recruiting class for 2026 Original
The early signing period for the 2026 college football recruiting class is just a few weeks away. The early signing period begins on Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 5. A vast majority of all college football recruits are usually signed in the early period, with less than 10% left to sign during the February signing period on Feb. 4 It hasn't been great on the football field this season for the Clemson Tigers, but that hasn't stopped them from putting together a top 20 class on the recruiting trails.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is playing at a Heisman-worthy level
The Heisman Trophy dates back to 1935, the year before its current namesake, John Heisman, passed away. Before his death, the trophy was called the DAC Trophy and presented by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City. It was renamed the Heisman in his honor. Over the last 90 years of its existence, only two players on defense have won the title. Last year, two-way star Travis Hunter won it, and you have to travel back to 1997 to find the other, Charles Woodson.
Texas Tech might be the Big 12's only College Football Playoff team after dominating win
Heading into last weekend, there was a theory that the Big 12 could land two teams in the College Football Playoff this year. That idea has shifted after what transpired in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, as the Texas Tech Red Raiders dominated the BYU Cougars, 29-7. The game wasn't even as close as the score would lead you to believe. Tech settled for field goals over touchdowns on five separate occasions.
Big 12 football updated power rankings led by Texas Tech after Week 11 Original
A dominating performance in Lubbock, Texas, with College Gameday in town, showed just who the top dog in the Big 12 is. The previously unbeaten BYU Cougars had played with fire too often with three double-digit comebacks this season. By the time the middle of the afternoon rolled around, BYU had suffered a demoralizing 29-7 loss. Much like BYU's in-state rival, the Utah Utes, Tech wore down the defense as they entered the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Big 12 football power rankings have Utah Utes climbing after Week 10
The hierarchy in the Big 12 appears to be becoming crystal clear. The BYU Cougars and Texas Tech Red Raiders seem to be the class of the conference, with the Utah Utes following closely behind. The top two have a Texas-sized showdown on tap in Week 11. The Cincinnati Bearcats were a team that could challenge for the top spot, but ran into a buzzsaw known as Utah in Salt Lake City. They fell behind early and couldn't recover against a very physical defense.
Hugh Freeze, Indiana domination, and more lead 'Week 10's what we learned' Original
College football is a wild animal, isn't it? Saturday felt like it had a March Madness flavor in the beginning of November. Several top 25 teams faced defeat on Saturday, including No. 8 Georgia Tech, No. 9 Vanderbilt, and No. 10 Miami. Perhaps this will be a precursor for the CFP run and the actual run to March Madness in college basketball. Not everyone had to deal with the upsets; others, like Ohio State and Indiana, just kept on with their winning ways.
Big 12 football power rankings have Utah Utes climbing after Week 10
The hierarchy in the Big 12 appears to be becoming crystal clear. The BYU Cougars and Texas Tech Red Raiders seem to be the class of the conference, with the Utah Utes following closely behind. The top two have a Texas-sized showdown on tap in Week 11. The Cincinnati Bearcats were a team that could challenge for the top spot, but ran into a buzzsaw known as Utah in Salt Lake City. They fell behind early and couldn't recover against a very physical defense.
BYU remain on top of Big 12 power rankings after Week 9 win over Iowa State
On Saturday, the BYU Cougars, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Cincinnati Bearcats, and Houston Cougars kept it rolling in the Big 12. Each team vying for a spot in the title game won. One game separates these four contenders. BYU needed a comeback against Iowa State before blowing out the Cyclones, while Texas Tech and Cincinnati took care of business from start to finish. Houston got off to a hot start and had to hold on to knock off Arizona State.
BYU remain on top of Big 12 power rankings after Week 9 win over Iowa State
On Saturday, the BYU Cougars, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Cincinnati Bearcats, and Houston Cougars kept it rolling in the Big 12. Each team vying for a spot in the title game won. One game separates these four contenders. BYU needed a comeback against Iowa State before blowing out the Cyclones, while Texas Tech and Cincinnati took care of business from start to finish. Houston got off to a hot start and had to hold on to knock off Arizona State.
LSU wastes no time in parting ways with head football coach Brian Kelly Original
Four years ago, the LSU Tigers shocked the college football world when they coaxed Brian Kelly to leave the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to take over the program. He marks the first head coach since 2000 to not win an SEC Championship and a national championship by the end of that fourth year. Following the 49-25 loss at the hands of the Texas A&M Aggies, it all but confirms that the Bayou Bengals won't be part of the College Football Playoffs for the sixth straight season.
What we learned in Week 9 including Brian Kelly's hot seat, Heisman front-runner, and more
The month of November is fast approaching, which signals the final stretch of the college football season. While many questions have been answered, there are still many more that require clarity as we enter the final leg of this race. More on that in the next week or so. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers seem to be in a class all their own this season, but would anyone else join them in the conversation?
What we learned in Week 9 including Brian Kelly's hot seat, Heisman front-runner, and more
The month of November is fast approaching, which signals the final stretch of the college football season. While many questions have been answered, there are still many more that require clarity as we enter the final leg of this race. More on that in the next week or so. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers seem to be in a class all their own this season, but would anyone else join them in the conversation?
Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech Week 9 college football betting odds and prediction
The Big 12 matchup on Saturday between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Oklahoma State Cowboys feels like the unstoppable force meets the very movable object. The home team is coming off the first loss of the season, but they can get back into the full swing of things in this game. Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich stated that he called too many quarterback run plays against Arizona State, but he likely dials them up against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys' defense is giving up 4.5 yards per attempt.
Purdue takes the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports preseason coaches poll
With the start of the NBA season already here, college basketball is gearing up to tip off the 2025-26 season. Last year's national champions, the Florida Gators, are looking to repeat. But will they earn the No. 1 overall ranking in the preseason college basketball coaches poll? Not this time. It is the Big Ten and Big 12 that are leading the way with the release of this year's USA TODAY Sports preseason men's basketball coaches poll.
Projecting the 2025-26 College Football Playoff field after Week 8 of the season
The month of November is fast approaching, and with that, the College Football Playoff picture is starting to take form. In most projections, you will find the usual suspects such as the Ohio State Buckeyes, Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, and Oregon Ducks. However, this year we might see some first-time party crashers such as the BYU Cougars, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, South Florida Bulls, and Texas A&M Aggies.
BYU leapfrogs Texas Tech in this week's Big 12 football power rankings
The college football season for 2025 is just over the halfway mark. When it comes to who will represent the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff, there are a handful of teams that are in a position to compete for it. Right now, the BYU Cougars and Cincinnati Bearcats remain undefeated and sit at the top of the standings. If the title game were played tomorrow, those two teams would play in Arlington for the trophy.
BYU leapfrogs Texas Tech in this week's Big 12 football power rankings
The college football season for 2025 is just over the halfway mark. When it comes to who will represent the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff, there are a handful of teams that are in a position to compete for it. Right now, the BYU Cougars and Cincinnati Bearcats remain undefeated and sit at the top of the standings. If the title game were played tomorrow, those two teams would play in Arlington for the trophy.
Mike Norvell heads list of head coaches on the hot seat heading into Week 9 of the season
Sunday turned out to be a tough day for Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and Colorado State Rams head coach Jay Norvell as the pair of head coaches were fired. Napier, despite winning against Mississippi State, was let go after many reports suggested it would happen win or lose. Neither firing has caught anyone by surprise as the coaching carousel begins to heat up. With the move for the Gators, Florida becomes the No. 1 job on the market based on who is ranking them.
Mike Norvell heads list of head coaches on the hot seat heading into Week 9 of the season
Sunday turned out to be a tough day for Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and Colorado State Rams head coach Jay Norvell as the pair of head coaches were fired. Napier, despite winning against Mississippi State, was let go after many reports suggested it would happen win or lose. Neither firing has caught anyone by surprise as the coaching carousel begins to heat up. With the move for the Gators, Florida becomes the No. 1 job on the market based on who is ranking them.
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