Texas Tech football is just one last-minute road loss away from a perfect record and first-place standing in the underrated Big 12 Conference. The Red Raiders are eyeing their first 10-win campaign since the era of the late great Mike Leach, who once roamed the sidelines in Lubbock. Impressively, Texas Tech is one of only two programs currently ranked in the top five for both points scored and points allowed.
Despite these achievements, Joey McGuire’s squad has not received much national praise, with most of the spotlight still focused on the Big Ten and SEC conferences. However, a recent appearance by Patrick Mahomes alongside Pat McAfee inside Jones AT&T Stadium may help change that narrative.
Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs legend and former Texas Tech star, served as the coveted guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay. Showing strong support for his alma mater ahead of a huge home matchup against undefeated BYU, Mahomes confidently predicted a Red Raiders victory. He highlighted Texas Tech’s dominant defense, which has allowed 20 points or more only twice this season.
Mahomes also threw some Heisman Trophy support toward playmaking linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who boasts an impressive stat line with seven forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 40 solo tackles. The quarterback’s confidence in the Red Raiders is clear, but it was Pat McAfee who truly amped up the enthusiasm during his trademark promo-style routine on GameDay.
After teasing a BYU prediction, the All-Pro punter turned popular media personality enthusiastically praised Texas Tech football. “You step foot in this town one time, you think to yourself, ‘this is a football god’s dream,’” McAfee said. “This is the Texas Tech Red Raiders’ time, and I’m going with the Texas Tech Red Raiiiiiders in the biggest game in the history of BYUUUU!”
The contrasting styles of Mahomes and McAfee combined to generate excitement around a squad currently ranked No. 8 by the College Football Playoff selection committee. With a victory over BYU on Saturday afternoon, Texas Tech has the opportunity to cement its place in the 12-team playoff field — a milestone the program has never reached before.
In their recent matchup, the Red Raiders led No. 7 BYU 13-0 at halftime, though they missed several scoring opportunities at the goal line before the break, leaving a window for their opponent to gain momentum.
As Patrick Mahomes and Pat McAfee watch intently from the sidelines, this previously unheralded Texas Tech program seeks one of the most important wins in its history.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/texas-tech-football-news-patrick-mahomes-pat-mcafee-hilariously-all-in-red-raiders