Texas Tech’s expensive roster is not enough to overcome Oregon in Orange Bowl
January 1, 2026
Jacob Rodriguez and Texas Tech’s high-priced defense delivered opportunity after opportunity, disrupting the Oregon Ducks’ dominant offense to put the Red Raiders in position to seize control of a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game. But the offense never did. Facing its stiffest test of the season, Texas Tech’s offense couldn’t match the urgency or execution of its defense, and the No. 4 Red Raiders’ impressive 2025 run ended in a 23-0 loss to No. 5 Oregon in the Orange Bowl on Thursday. It was a sobering finish for a program that won 12 games this season en route to its first Big 12 Conference title and CFP berth.