LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 05: Will Hammond #15 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders throws a pass during the second quarter against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Galaxy Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images)
Josh Hedges/Getty Images
No. 13 Texas Tech at Oregon State
6:30 p.m. Saturday at Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Ore. (Ch. 11)
Records: No. 13 Texas Tech (1-0); Oregon State (0-1)
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Series record: Texas Tech holds a 2-0 advantage with victories in 2025 and 1959.
Last meeting: The Red Raiders and Beavers played last year. The contest, which included a 21/2-hour weather delay, ended with Tech blowing out Oregon State 45-14 in Lubbock.
What’s at stake?
The Red Raiders’ season-opening 33-10 victory against Abilene Christian was an expected outcome, however, the matchup brought several key areas to light that Tech needs to tweak in future games. Saturday’s matchup on the road against the Beavers could showcase Tech’s improvement or ultimately reveal deeper issues.
The teams’ previous matchup in 2025 resulted in a Tech 45-14 blowout victory. A year later, under new head coach JaMarcus Shephard, the Beavers look to be much improved and are coming off a 33-20 loss to then-No. 23 Houston. Oregon State held a lead against the Cougars in the first quarter and were within six points in the fourth quarter.
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Tech is set to experience its first road test of the season with questions about offensive red zone efficiency looming. If the Red Raiders are able to make minor adjustments across the entire team, a victory against a revamped Oregon State could provide a major confidence boost heading into their Big 12 opener against Houston.
If not, a closer game than the Red Raiders would like in Corvallis is a possibility.
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 05: J’koby Williams #20 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders carries the ball during the first quarter against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Galaxy Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images)
Josh Hedges/Getty Images
When Texas Tech has the ball
Despite recording 173 rushing yards against Abilene Christian this past Saturday, it felt like the Red Raiders’ running back trio left more to be desired after an offseason full of expectations. J’Koby Williams led Tech with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding on 57 receiving yards.
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Williams, along with Cam Dickey and Quinten Joyner, have the chance to find a groove against an Oregon State defense that allowed 228 rushing yards to Houston. However, Oregon State defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre said the Beavers are addressing tackling issues that plagued their defense against Houston’s running backs, allowing two rushers over 70 yards.
Will Hammond produced a similar stat line last week in the air against Abilene Christian to Houston’s Conner Weigman’s stat line against Oregon State, as Hammond totaled 298 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Oregon State allowed 533 total yards against Houston, and with the help of Tech’s rushing attack and refinement of Hammond’s playmaking, the Red Raiders could have a strong rebound game against the Beavers.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 05: Braden Atkinson #2 of the Oregon State Beavers runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
When Oregon State has the ball
Oregon State found success in the passing game against the Cougars as Mercer transfer quarterback Braden Atkinson finished with 376 passing yards on 29-of-48 passing with a touchdown. The Beavers had a pair of 80-plus-yard receivers, and true freshman Jesse Legree finished with a team-leading 136 yards and a touchdown.
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However, the Red Raiders’ defensive unit didn’t allow the same passing success to Abilene Christian in their season opener, holding the Wildcats to 119 passing yards. Tech’s secondary didn’t come away with any takeaways against ACU, but cornerback Brice Pollock dropped a potential pick-six. Pollock said he’s been consistently on the Jugs machines since that drop in preparation for Oregon State.
The Beavers struggled to find a steady rhythm in the ground game against Houston with a total of 26 rushing yards. However, 31 rushing yards were subtracted due to sacks. The Red Raiders’ strong presence in the box could prove an obstacle for an already struggling Oregon State run game.
Tech’s defense has been arguably the most consistent aspect of its program the past season and if it is able to stop Atkinson’s hot start to the season, the Red Raiders could come away with a large margin of victory on the West Coast.
Prediction
The Red Raiders produced a comfortable win last week against ACU, but didn’t play up to offseason expectations. Tech’s coaching staff has leaned into “making your layups” ahead of its matchup with the Beavers on Saturday.
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Oregon State was able to keep up with Houston and make it a competitive ball game in its season opener. The Beavers will face a similar task Saturday in taking on a ranked opponent with the expectation of building a foundation for their program’s future.
However, the Red Raiders are going to utilize the film room and adjust to their Week 1 mistakes with a bounce-back game in Corvallis, Ore.
Score: Texas Tech 38, Oregon State 13