Saturday’s Big 12 clash between Oklahoma State and No. 14 Texas Tech hit a weather delay when storms rolled through Lubbock, but conditions cleared for a revised 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
What’s the Latest on the Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech Weather Delay?
Texas Tech Football initially announced the stoppage via X on Saturday afternoon, immediately halting the scheduled 3 p.m. CDT matchup. Texas Tech later provided an encouraging update as conditions improved.
“Weather is moving away from us. We expect the teams to return to the field for warmups and gates to open at 2:31 p.m. Kickoff will slide back to a little after 3:30 p.m.” the official handle wrote.
Sports reporter Keith Inglis confirmed the alert went out with just over an hour remaining before kickoff. “Texas Tech has issued a weather alert a little over 80 minutes before kickoff,” he wrote on X, with pictures of the overcast.
Stadium videoboards displayed weather warnings as fans sought shelter throughout Jones AT&T Stadium. The game is set to air on ESPNU, and Justin Kutcher and Dustin Fox will call the action.
Texas Tech entered at 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play with the 1st-ranked defense in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, posting a 92.3 score and an A- grade. The Red Raiders also carry an 83.7 Offense Impact score with a B grade. Oklahoma State arrived winless in conference play at 1-6, searching for answers under interim coach Doug Meacham.
PFSN’s Playoff Meter projects 9.35 wins for Texas Tech, which has a 28.34% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff.
What Are the College Football Weather Delay Rules?
College football teams play through most conditions, but lightning forces immediate evacuations. Current regulations require a 30-minute wait after the last lightning strike within an 8-10-mile radius before play can resume.
If lightning strikes during any 30-minute countdown, the clock resets completely. Players receive a brief warm-up period once officials clear conditions, then the game continues from where it stopped.
Conference games like Oklahoma State at Texas Tech rarely get canceled once they start. Both teams and officials typically wait out delays to complete the contest, especially with implications for the Big 12 standings at stake. Texas Tech’s perfect 4-0 home record and sold-out crowd added urgency to finishing Saturday’s game.
Oklahoma State’s struggles continued into Week 9. The Cowboys averaged just 16.6 points per game and had only four passing touchdowns as a team. The Cowboys need wins in their final five games for bowl eligibility after six straight losses dropped them to 0-4 in conference play.
The all-time series stands tied at 24-24-3 entering the 52nd meeting, with Texas Tech holding a 13-8-2 advantage in Lubbock games.