Ranking Texas Tech football's 2025 games based on intrigue, team talent and potential chaos

The 2025 season is going to be a make-or-break campaign for Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech football team.

Few previous iterations of the Red Raiders have generated this much attention for what is expected of the squad. McGuire knows every game on the schedule is big, but many of these games — most of them away from Jones AT&T Stadium — are bigger than others.

Which of the 12 regular-season games should Texas Tech fans look forward to the most, and which could define what this year's Red Raiders will be? Here's our ranking.

12. Aug. 30 vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff

FCS opponents deserve the payday and opportunity, but they're never exciting — unless you almost lose to Abilene Christian.

11. Sept. 6 vs. Kent State

Hard for Texas Tech fans to get amped facing a team that's won one game in the last two years combined.

10. Nov. 15 vs. UCF

Lee Hunter gets to face his former team in Jones AT&T Stadium. Other than that, yawn. Knights are in a rebuild under Scott Frost.

9. Oct. 25 vs. Oklahoma State

Have to split hairs with the Big 12 schedule, but the Cowboys were dreadful in 2024 and don't seem too promising in 2025.

8. Oct. 4 at Houston

Joey McGuire took Houston's defensive coordinator and top interior defensive lineman. How will Shiel Wood and AJ Holmes like their return?

7. Nov. 8 vs. BYU

Last year's hot start cooled off significantly by November for BYU, and the Cougars don't have nearly as much talent as they did in 2024.

6. Oct. 11 vs. Kansas

It's homecoming, so Texas Tech has that going. Red Raiders have dominated the series with Kansas, which is replacing a lot of skill on both sides of the ball.

5. Sept. 13 vs. Oregon State

After two should-be cakewalks to open the season, Oregon State will be Tech's only true test in non-conference play.

4. Nov. 29 at West Virginia

Plenty of options for the regular-season finale. Will Texas Tech have a spot in the Big 12 championship locked up? Still need a win to get in? Or out of contention completely?

3. Nov. 1 at Kansas State

Avery Johnson tortured the Texas Tech defense as a freshman. The Red Raiders will need this win in a big way.

2. Sept. 20 at Utah

The first Big 12 game of the year could define which direction the Red Raiders will go in 2025. Having it on the road only adds to the importance.

1. Oct. 18 at Arizona State

Sun Devils have a shot at revenge with a loaded roster of returning talent. Red Raiders need signature wins to add to their College Football Playoff chances. No bigger opportunity than a win at Tempe.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Ranking Texas Tech football's 2025 games: Which one is best?