ESPN names Texas Tech as one of college football's most fascinating teams in 2025
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Despite the fact that Texas Tech has only notched one double-digit win season since the late 1970s, optimism is high heading into 2025. With 21 incoming transfers and key returning contributors, the Red Raiders' aggressive roster overhaul could finally yield major results. ESPN's Bill Connelly recently named Texas Tech one of the most fascinating teams of the 2025 season - an appropriate label for an underachieving program with such high expectations.
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Historically, Texas Tech has never struggled to score points, but defensive issues have consistently derailed its success. Last season, the Red Raiders ranked among the nation's worst in total defense, giving up over 460 yards per game. Connelly notes the program has had just one top-50 defense by SP+ standards in the past 15 years, highlighting the team's struggles. To address this, head coach Joey McGuire targeted elite defensive transfers like Lee Hunter, Romello Height, and David Bailey to bolster the front line.
On offense, Texas Tech returns veteran quarterback Behren Morton, along with new additions on the offensive line and a strong group of skill players. On paper, the pieces are in place for a breakthrough season. However, Texas Tech fans have seen similar hype fizzle out in previous seasons.
Still, with the Big 12 wide open and national attention building in Lubbock, this season could define the trajectory of McGuire's program. Whether it ends in heartbreak or a historic run, Texas Tech is undeniably one of the most fascinating teams to watch in 2025.
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Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. In January of 2025, he took over as Publisher for Maryland On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.
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