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Texas Tech’s unbeaten season ends with a 37-24 loss at Cincinnati, and Aaron Dickens and Chris Level don’t sugarcoat it. They break down a game in which the Red Raiders trailed 24-6 at halftime, gave up big rushing yards after allowing so little all season, committed a long list of penalties, and couldn’t turn red zone trips into touchdowns. They also dig into the offense’s struggles, Will Hammond’s performance, and even a rough day from the punter. Then they step back. Is this one bad day or a sign of something bigger? They talk about the sport’s weekly chaos, what Texas Tech needs to fix with five games left, a huge Big 12 test against Arizona, how the Big 12 race looks now, and whether Joey McGuire’s staff needs a spark or a change. They also react to Baylor firing Dave Aranda.

Will Hammond just played what may be the best half of football of his Texas Tech career against Arizona State. If that’s the quarterback the Red Raiders get the rest of the way, is Texas Tech losing a gameAaron Dickens and Chris Level break down why the next month of opposing defenses looks very different from the ones Hammond saw early in the season, and why Cincinnati’s pass defense, which has allowed 275-plus yards through the air four straight games, could give him plenty of room to work this weekend.   They also talk about the high expectations that come with a five-star recruit, why Micah Hudson has been under a microscope that others haven’t, and why quarterback may be the position where a five-star ranking matters least. Plus, Hammond’s finger roll celebration, a few Joey McGuire stats, and why Aaron and Chris think perception of McGuire still lags behind reality.   Then it’s on to a big Big 12 weekend: Houston at Utah, BYU’s trap-game trip to UCF, and a Kansas State-Arizona State matchup that could feature two backup quarterbacks. They also dig into Kenny Dillingham’s four-hour post-loss meeting and what Arizona State’s quarterback situation says about the program.

Texas Tech heads to Cincinnati on Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level preview a Bearcats team that’s lost back-to-back games but is built on a strong offensive line and ground game. They break down how that matchup runs into Texas Tech’s front seven, why Cincinnati’s defense has been among the Big 12’s worst at giving up explosive plays and third-down stops, and what the Red Raiders’ offense can do with Will Hammond and Jacoby Williams. They also talk about Cam Dickey’s recovery, Cincinnati’s red zone numbers and slow starts, and the viral injury cart moment from the Cincinnati-West Virginia game. Then they turn to the future of college football. The 24-team College Football Playoff looks all but certain, and Aaron and Chris discuss what that means for the Big 12 and Texas Tech, including weeknight playoff games, what happens to the weekly rankings show, and the SEC suddenly preaching parity. They also weigh in on what it would mean for the Big 12 Championship Game to go away, what commissioner Brett Yormark said about a replacement “tent pole” event, and how a champion would be decided without a title game.

Texas Tech moves to 6-0 and 3-0 in the Big 12 with a blowout of Arizona State, leading 43-10 at the half. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level break down the fast start, from the 4th and 1 gamble on the opening drive and Will Hammond’s push to convert, to J'Koby Williams’ big runs, Kenny Johnson’s great day and a pick-six that changed the game. They also credit the offensive line and Mack Leftwich’s playcalling, and talk about whether the bye week made the difference. They also make the case that it’s time to stop worrying about the eye test: Texas Tech is 18-2 in its last 20 games and 13-1 in its last 14 Big 12 games, and they argue the program has moved past needing a knee-jerk reaction after every misstep. Plus, they praise a defense that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown all season, with sacks coming from all over the defensive line. Then it’s on to a historic day in college football, with only six undefeated teams left in the power conferences, three of them from the Big 12. They react to BYU-Notre Dame, Houston’s win over Oklahoma State, Utah’s close call at Colorado, and the fallout at Baylor after the loss to TCU. They finish with a look ahead to Saturday’s game against Cincinnati.

Joel Klatt says Oklahoma State has a better chance than Texas Tech to make the College Football Playoff. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level push back, breaking down why the Cowboys are getting extra credit for the Oregon win (and overlooking the 335 rushing yards allowed to West Virginia), and why Texas Tech’s second-half performance looks a lot like last year’s despite the grind. Then it’s on to Saturday’s game against Arizona State. They preview Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils, how Arizona State’s aggressive man coverage could test Texas Tech’s receivers, and which playmakers beyond Terrence Carter and J'Koby Williams need to step up. They also weigh in on the uncertainty around Thomas Castellanos’ eligibility. Plus: who in the Big 12’s top seven doesn’t belong, a look at Houston-Oklahoma State and the Baylor-TCU rivalry games.

The bye week is over, and Texas Tech returns to face the Arizona State team that handed the Red Raiders their only Big 12 loss in the last season and a half. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level preview Saturday’s game, including why Joey McGuire says Tech was out-coached last time, what to expect from Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils, and why Will Hammond’s comfort level matters more than anything else on offense. They also look at the injury picture: Cam Dickey is out, Thomas Castellanos’ availability is uncertain pending a court hearing, and Texas Tech is preparing as if he won’t play. That raises the question of who gets the short-yardage and goal-line carries, with Terrence Carter, AJ Holmes and Moose all in the mix. Plus: a look at one of the biggest weekends in the Big 12 this season, with Notre Dame at BYU, TCU vs. Baylor, and what it all means for the league’s playoff hopes and a possible second CFP team.

Texas Tech is 5-0 heading into the bye week, but is the national conversation giving the Red Raiders enough credit? Aaron Dickens and Chris Level make the case that Texas Tech's resume is underrated, with a win over a ranked team and two double-digit road wins, and that the team is being unevenly punished for not being as dominant as last year. They also dig into the "second-half team" trend, with Texas Tech outscoring opponents 68-9 after halftime over its last three games. Plus: a Big 12 check-in around the league, including Oklahoma State's national hype, Arizona State's struggles, Baylor and TCU, and the weekend's games. They also break down the circus around Colorado and Deion Sanders.

Texas Tech handles a sloppy Colorado team on the road, covers and heads into the bye week at 5-0. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level break down a dominant defensive performance and a four-takeaway night, why the offense is still a big question mark, and how Friday's Thomas Castellanos news and Cam Dickey's high ankle sprain changed the game plan. Plus: the wild story of a 25-page Colorado playbook found at the team hotel bar, and whether the first scripted drive matched what was on the pages. They also look at what Texas Tech needs to figure out during the bye week.

Reports suggest the College Football Playoff could expand to 24 teams as soon as next year — and Aaron Dickens and Chris Level break down what that would actually mean for Texas Tech. They discuss how a bigger field changes the margin for error, why realignment could rear its head again if the pending college sports bill doesn't pass, and which ACC programs the Big 12 should be eyeing if the conference landscape shifts again. Plus: Mike Tomlin's surprising video game addiction, and a quick preview of Saturday's trip to Colorado — including why Texas Tech shouldn't lose unless they help the Buffaloes.

Texas Tech heads to Boulder to face a Colorado team that's struggling to find any rhythm on offense. Aaron Dickens and Chris Level break down why this matchup feels different from Texas Tech's other tests this season, what's gone wrong for the Buffaloes under Deion Sanders, and why a win alone might not be enough — Texas Tech needs to actually look good doing it. Plus: a look at the UCF-Houston jersey drama, and whether the Big 12 is as strong as the rankings suggest.

Texas Tech gets past Sam Houston State, but Aaron Dickens and Chris Level explain why it was uglier than it needed to be — a close game at the half against an outmatched opponent, and four games into the season, still no complete performance to point to. They break down what went wrong, what still has them encouraged despite the sloppiness, and what needs to change fast with a trip to Colorado on deck. Plus: a look around the rest of the Big 12, including Oklahoma State's big win and a TCU program that's spiraling.

Can the Big 12 actually get two teams into the College Football Playoff? Aaron Dickens and Chris Level break down the conference's reputation problem, why Texas Tech's path likely still runs through winning in Arlington, and which teams — Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Kansas State, and others — could climb the rankings and help the league's case down the stretch. Plus: why power rankings are mostly meaningless noise, a look at this weekend's other meaningful Big 12 games (Iowa State-Utah, Colorado-Baylor), and a celebration of Texas Tech Hall of Fame inductees Louis Vasquez and Joe Filani.

Texas Tech is a 35-point favorite over Sam Houston State this weekend, but Aaron Dickens and Chris Level explain why that spread might be misleading. They break down why the Bearkats are one of the most underrated teams in the country against the spread, why their pass-heavy attack could actually find some yards and where Texas Tech should have distinct advantages. Plus: Oregon State is for real, the Cash Cleveland breakout game that has them wondering if the offensive line found something at left guard, and which young players deserve extended run if the game gets out of hand on Saturday.

Texas Tech survives a wild 28-26 win over Houston at a sold-out Galaxy Stadium, and Aaron Dickens and Chris Level believe something finally clicked for the Red Raiders. They break down their theory that Thomas Castellanos starting fueled Will Hammond's best performance of the season, why they think this Houston team may be even better than last year's BYU squad, and the receivers, running backs, and defensive players who stepped up in the biggest game of the year so far. Plus: the atmosphere at Galaxy Stadium, what the win means heading into a lighter stretch of the schedule, and the next steps we could see from this Texas Tech team.

Texas Tech is a trendy upset candidate heading into Friday night's showdown with Houston, and Aaron Dickens and Chris Level explain why the stakes are enormous either way. They break down why this matchup could come down to special teams and what to expect from Will Hammond and the offense against a Houston defense that blitzes heavily. Plus: the latest injury and availability news for Trey White, Terrence Carter, and Brendan Jordan, and why Joey McGuire says this is maybe the best team Texas Tech has faced in years.