Red Raiders Back in Primetime Versus Cincinnati
May 18, 2025 – Lubbock, TX
Texas Tech football is headed back to the national spotlight. The Red Raiders will host the Cincinnati Bearcats in a high-profile primetime matchup this fall, a game that marks another opportunity for head coach Joey McGuire’s program to showcase its progress on a national stage.
The Big 12 announced Monday that the Texas Tech–Cincinnati game, scheduled for October 4 at Jones AT&T Stadium, will kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT and air nationally on FOX. It’s the latest in a series of primetime appearances for the Red Raiders, who have quickly become one of the more intriguing teams in the reshaped Big 12.
McGuire, entering his third full season, has reinvigorated the Tech fanbase with energy, recruiting wins, and a hard-nosed brand of football. After an 8–5 season in 2024 that included a bowl victory and wins over Texas and UCF, expectations are building in Lubbock. The Red Raiders’ spring practices featured strong quarterback play from Behren Morton and a revamped secondary that impressed coaches and fans alike.
“We love the lights,” McGuire said at a recent booster event. “This team feeds off the energy, and our fans make Jones Stadium one of the toughest places to play at night. We’re excited to show the country what Red Raider football is all about.”
The matchup against Cincinnati will be the Bearcats’ first trip to Lubbock since joining the Big 12. Coming off a 4–8 campaign in 2024, Cincinnati is hoping for a bounce-back year under second-year head coach Scott Satterfield. The Bearcats have retooled their offense through the transfer portal and will look to be much more competitive this fall.
Texas Tech’s defense will be tested by Cincinnati’s dual-threat quarterback Emory Jones, but with leaders like linebacker Jesiah Pierre and defensive lineman Myles Cole returning, the Red Raiders are confident they can set the tone early. Offensively, all eyes will be on Morton and Texas Tech’s deep receiving corps, which could be one of the most explosive in the conference.
This primetime slot signals growing respect for Texas Tech within the national landscape and the Big 12’s evolving television strategy. With marquee programs like Oklahoma and Texas gone to the SEC, the league is leaning on new rivalries and rising programs to drive viewership—and Texas Tech is answering that call.
“We want the big stage,” Morton said after the spring game. “That’s where you make statements.”
Come October, the Red Raiders will have their chance—under the lights, in front of a roaring home crowd, and with the eyes of the nation watching.
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