If the Big 12 Conference preseason media poll is any indication, the Texas Tech football team won’t have high outside expectations heading into the 2024 season.
The poll, released Tuesday, places the Red Raiders ninth out of 16 teams in the conference. Last year’s preseason rankings had Tech fourth before the team finished seventh with a 5-4 mark in Big 12 play.
Utah, a freshman, edged Kansas State for the top spot in the poll. The Utes received 20 first-place votes to the Wildcats’ 19. Oklahoma State, Kansas and Arizona ranked third, fourth and fifth.
Iowa State came in sixth, West Virginia seventh and UCF eighth to finish ahead of Texas Tech.
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TCU, Colorado, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and Arizona State rounded out the poll.
On Monday, the Big 12 officially welcomed four new members in Utah, Arizona, Colorado and Arizona State.
Texas Tech went 7-6 in 2023 and is entering the third year of the Joey McGuire era. The Red Raiders will open the season Aug. 31 at home to Abilene Christian and begin Big 12 play Sept. 21 at home to Arizona State.
Tech won’t see Utah, Kansas State or Kansas this season, but will face Oklahoma State, Arizona and Iowa State, all on the road.
Big 12 media days will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Red Raiders will address the media on Tuesday, as will Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Utah and Arizona State on the first day of the event.
Arizona, Baylor, BYU, UCF, Colorado, Houston, Kansas and West Virginia will appear Wednesday.
McGuire will be joined in Las Vegas by team captains Tahj Brooks, Behren Morton, Bryce Ramirez, Jacob Rodriguez and Caleb Rogers. Coverage of the event will air on ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+. McGuire is expected to be on ESPNU around 1:40 p.m. and will hold his press conference immediately afterward.
2024 Big 12 Football Preseason Media Poll
Ranking, Team (Votes for First Place) Total Points
- Utah (20) 906
- State of Kansas (19) 889
- Oklahoma State (14) 829
- Kansas (5) 772
- Arizona (3) 762
- Iowa State 661
- West Virginia 581
- UCF 551
- Texas Tech 532
- TCU 436
- Colorado
- Baylor 265
- BYU 215
- Cincinnati 196
- Houston 157
- Arizona State 141
