ARLINGTON, Texas — For the first time in program history, Texas Tech has won the Big 12 championship.
The Red Raiders pummeled BYU by a 34-7 score Saturday at AT&T Stadium, capturing the conference crown and essentially guaranteeing a first round bye in the forthcoming College Football Playoff.
But even amid the championship celebration, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire still elected to lobby for BYU’s Playoff inclusion.
“I truly believe that Big 12 deserves two teams in the playoffs,” McGuire told reporters after the game. “Whenever you look at BYU, they’re 11-2, and their two losses are to the No. 4 team in the nation.
“Man, so much respect for Kalani (Sitake). That’s a really good football team that I hope the committee looks at it, because there’s gonna be 2-loss teams out there, but there’s not gonna be an 11 (win) and 2-loss team. (BYU) did a great job throughout the season getting here.”
After the Cougars took a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the ballgame, Texas Tech responded with 34 unanswered points, bullying BYU in the second half to pull away for the blowout victory.
The Red Raiders held the Cougars to 2.1 yards per carry and 200 total yards, forcing four turnovers as well and appearing every bit of the national championship contender they’ve been heralded as.
“The leadership on this team … I really ask a lot of them, you know, to bring all the new guys in and make them feel how special it is and how special our building is and how much we care about each other,” McGuire said. “I think consistency is the key. They get the same (head coach) every single day, they get the same coaching staff, and the one thing about us, the most important thing that we have is our players and everybody in our building.
“(The coaching staff’s) job, their sole job is to help (the players) be the best version of theirselves. They feel that every day. We don’t deviate. They get the same guys every single day, and I think whenever people started seeing that, they really started believing in what we were asking them to do and really became a special crew.”
A play unfolds between BYU and the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark speaks as part of a press conference before the Big 12 championship game between BYU and Texas Tech held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU players take the field before the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark speaks as part of a press conference before the Big 12 championship game between BYU and Texas Tech held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU players and staff huddle before the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake gestures to fans before the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU offensive lineman Sonny Makasini (51) prepares to line up with other linemen during the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU running back Sione Moa (30) is downed by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Brenden Jordan (7) during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU safety Tanner Wall (28) downs Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Cameron Dickey (8) during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU safety Faletau Satuala (11) celebrates after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) winds up a pass during the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU players huddle before a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU fans cheer and hold up rally towels during the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks with tight end Carsen Ryan (20) after Ryan was slow to get up after a play during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) runs with the ball while pursued by Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Brock Golwas (45) during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire slaps hands with players as they come off the field after a play during the Big 12 championship game against BYU held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) bumps helmets in celebration with offensive lineman Kyle Sfarcioc (64) after Martin’s touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) winds up a pass during the Big 12 championship game against BYU held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Cameron Dickey (8) stiff-arms BYU cornerback Therrian Alexander (1) as he runs the ball during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU cornerback Cannon Devries (20) stretches before the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU safety Faletau Satuala (11) celebrates after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU players huddle before a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders running back J’Koby Williams (20) runs the ball while pursued by BYU defensive end Logan Lutui (7) during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
A Texas Tech Red Raiders fan cheers during the Big 12 championship game against BYU held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU safety Crew Clark (39) flashes the “Y” to fans as the team moves toward the locker room at halftime of the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) takes the snap during the Big 12 championship game against BYU held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
A BYU and Texas Tech Red Raiders fan talk during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) looks to the scoreboard during the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU players try and block an extra-point attempt during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell (63) breaks with fellow linemen before a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake hugs a Texas Tech Red Raiders staff member after Cougars were defeated by the Red Raiders the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU fans cheer and hold up letters for BYU running back LJ Martin (4) during the Big 12 championship game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Ben Roberts (13) cheers after he was voted the game’s most outstanding player and the Red Raiders defeated BYU in the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Ben Roberts (13) gestures to his teammates in celebration after he was voted the game’s most outstanding player and the Red Raiders defeated BYU in the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire pumps up the crowd in his postgame interview after the Red Raiders defeated BYU in the Big 12 championship game held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) celebrates after a play against BYU during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech fans celebrate a touchdown surrounding two BYU fans during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU safety Tanner Wall (28) knocks the ball loose from Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams (20), but it is recovered by another Texas Tech player during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU safeties Tanner Wall (28) and Faletau Satuala (11) down Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams (20) during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech fans hold up a sign of linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) during the Big 12 championship game against BYU at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs toward the sidelines after his pass was intercepted by a Texas Tech player in the third quarter of the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton (2) winds up for a pass during the Big 12 championship game against BYU at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
A BYU fan reacts after a play against Texas Tech during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) winds up for a pass during the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
A lone Texas Tech Red Raiders fan celebrates a play amid BYU fans during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech defensive lineman E’Maurion Banks (8) celebrates after a play against BYU during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) hugs coach Sione Po’uha after Texas Tech Red defeated BYU in the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire hoists up the Big 12 championship trophy after the Red Raiders defeated BYU in the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU director of athletics Brian Santiago, left, hugs head coach Kalani Sitake after Texas Tech defeated BYU in the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) runs the ball against the Texas Tech defense during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire adjusts his headset between plays during the Big 12 championship game against BYU at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU cornerback Therrian Alexander III (1) tries to down Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey (8) during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) celebrates his touchdown during the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) celebrates after a play against Texas Tech during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) slips away from Texas Tech linebacker John Curry (6) as he runs the ball during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs with the ball as he’s pursued by Texas Tech Red linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake high-fives tight end Carsen Ryan (20) after a play during the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker (16) is slow to get up after a play while Texas Tech offensive lineman Howard Sampson (79) and quarterback Behren Morton (2) celebrate after the Red Raiders scored a touchdown during the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU fans cheer as the team leaves the field during warm ups before the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News 
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) prepares to pass as he warms up with his teammates before the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
With the victory, Texas Tech also notches its first 12-win campaign in school history. Assuming the Red Raiders secure a first round bye, they would only need three more wins to bring a national championship to Lubbock.
“I am so proud of this team. I think we’ve got the best coaching staff in the world. We’ve got the best administration staff in the world. We’ve got the best fans in the world,” McGuire said.
“… I can’t wait to see where this committee is going to put us tomorrow. We’re looking forward to the bye, you know, we’re hoping and expecting that’s where we’ll be. We’re football banged up, and if you let us get healthy, man, I really believe we’ve got another gear.”