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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Tech football 2025 schedule preview: Get to know Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
As the calendar flips to July, it's time to get ready for the most anticipated Texas Tech football season in quite some time. Over the next four weeks, we'll take a look at every team on the Red Raiders' 2025 schedule, previewing each of the 12 regular season contests to see if Joey McGuire's team can live up to the hype and get to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship game in December. We'll start with Texas Tech's season opener against FCS opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Led by head coach Alonzo Hampton, the Golden Lions have an opportunity to disrupt the Red Raiders before they really get started. Last year's season opener against Abilene Christian, another FCS school, sent an early message that Texas Tech's defense was going to be a major problem in 2024. What can Pine Bluff reveal about this year's version of the Red Raiders? Get to know Texas Tech football opponent: Arkansas-Pine Bluff Life as an FCS team can be a struggle in the age of name, image and likeness and the transfer portal. That's certainly the case for Arkansas-Pine Bluff heading into the 2025 season. The Golden Lions finished 3-9 overall and 2-6 in SWAC play, losing games by scores of 70-0 (Arkansas), 56-17 (Central Arkansas) and 41-3 (Jackson State). They had a scoring margin of negative-12.25 in 2024, but that didn't prevent their best players from finding new landing spots elsewhere. Receiver Javonnie Gibson had 70 catches for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns last season, the only player on the APB roster with 20 catches or more. He wound up transferring to Oklahoma. Dual-threat quarterback Mekhi Hagens is also gone, having transferred first to Lamar than to Alabama A&M — which handed the Golden Lions a 52-24 loss in early November. Backup running back Johness Davis also left, winding up at Duquesne. All hope is not lost with the team's top two running backs set to return. BJ Curry totaled 509 yards and four touchdowns on 123 carries while Za'Marion Webber tallied 334 yards on 64 rushers last season. Whether or not Curry and Webber are back, though, is determined by some social media detective work as Pine Bluff does not have a 2025 roster available on its athletics page. Exactly who will take the field for the Golden Lions on Aug. 30 will probably be a question right until kickoff on opening night. One Arkansas-Pine Bluff stat for Texas Tech football fans to know Hagens, the quarterback who transferred out, may have been a dual-threat, but his rushing numbers are rather pedestrian (134 yards, three TDs on 110 rushing attempts). This is not all on Hagens, though. Pine Bluff gave up 38 sacks last season, averaging 3.16 per game, which resulted in a loss of 285 total yards in 2024. Hagens himself gained 450 yards but was tacked with a loss of 316 yards. This should excite the Texas Tech defense, particularly with the brand-new defensive line that has generated the most buzz from its transfer portal haul. Regardless of who takes the field for Pine Bluff, the Red Raiders will send out their defensive front of David Bailey (Stanford transfer), Romello Height (Georgia Tech), Lee Hunter (UCF), Skyler Gill-Howard (Northern Illinois) and several others. The group needs a game to show some continuity, and it's easy to see why the Pine Bluff game could be a very successful one for the unit. Final score prediction for Texas Tech football vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Texas Tech 56, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 14: If this game is anything but a decisive blowout from the opening kick, that could spell early trouble again for McGuire. While it seems impossible for the Red Raiders to dominate from the jump with so many new pieces around the team, the Golden Lions don't exude a "don't sleep on them" mentality. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What to know about Texas Tech football opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Paul Finebaum Reveals Texas Longhorns' Biggest Threat in SEC
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian are heading into the 2025 college football season with big expectations and a lot of hype. They are widely expected to be a top-tier national championship contender and many believe that they will also win the SEC. Over the years, the SEC has been viewed as the toughest conference in college football. While the Big Ten has started making a push, many still believe that the SEC is more difficult. Looking around the conference, Texas will have its hands full. Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns looks on before taking on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns looks on before taking on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. Photo byWith that being said, the question becomes, who could compete with the Longhorns to win the SEC? Read more: Paul Finebaum Doesn't Hold Back About Clemson, Cade Klubnik In ESPN's rankings back in May, the Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, South Carolina Gamecocks, Florida Gators, Texas A&M Aggies, Ole Miss Rebels, and Oklahoma Sooners were all ranked in the top 25. Paul Finebaum has weighed in on the matter and has revealed who he believes will be the Longhorns' biggest threat in the SEC. "I think it's Alabama," Finebaum said. "A lot of people amazingly have forgotten about Alabama without Nick Saban. They missed the playoffs, they lost more games than they have since 2007, but I believe they are better at quarterback, and that sounds crazy with Ty Simpson against Jalen Milroe, who was amazing at times but also terrible at times. I think they have elite wide receivers; they have probably the second-best wide receiver in the country in Ryan Williams. Their defense is going to be top-notch. ... I think they manage the season very well." A lot of the hype surrounding Texas will depend on the performance of first-year starting quarterback Arch Manning. He has been with the program for a good amount of time, but he has yet to be the starter. Manning played a decent amount last season when filling in for Quinn Ewers. He completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. Read more: Caleb Downs Reveals Ohio State's Championship Key Without Hesitation If he can play up to the hype that has surrounded him, the Longhorns are going to be very difficult to beat. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide have a very talented roster. They finished the 2024 season with a 9-4 record in their first season following Nick Saban's departure, but are expected to bounce back in 2025. Expect to see the SEC be extremely competitive once again. While Texas is the clear favorite right now, there are plenty of other teams, including Alabama, who could make a strong run at winning the conference. For more Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas Longhorns, and college football news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
College Football Rankings 2025: CFN Preseason No. 51 to 75 - Who Could Be This Year's Arizona State or Indiana?
They're the teams that aren't projected to be as strong in the Power Four conferences, or they're some of the stars from the Group of Five the teams ranked from 51 to 75 in the CFN 2025 Preseason Rankings. Some in this bunch will be disrespected, and others will be ignored in the massive conferences and could break through and make something big was among this bunch last year? Arizona State was 63rd, and it went on to win the Big 12 Championship. Indiana was 57, and it pulled off a brilliant breakthrough that team be Colorado? Or Vanderbilt? Or as crazy as it might seem, Purdue?The College Football News preseason rankings from 51 to 75 are ... CFN Preview 2025 Rankings101-136 | 76-100 | 26-5011-25 | Top 10 | @ColFootballNewsCFN Previews of All 136 TeamsOne thing to note. The Player You Need To Know isn't always the star. It's usually the top guy outside of the skill parts who'll get the spotlight. 75 Liberty Liberty PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowJoseph Carter, LB Opener: Maine2024 Preseason Rank: 752024 Final Rank: 1072023: 53, 2022: 922021: 97, 2020: 112019: 65, 2018: 95 74 UTSA UTSA PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowHouston Thomas, TE Opener: at Texas A&M2024 Preseason Rank: 722024 Final Rank: 952023: 72, 2022: 552021: 55, 2020: 1022019: 118, 2018: 112 73 Navy Navy PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowLandon Robinson, NT Opener: VMI2024 Preseason Rank: 1172024 Final Rank: 372023: 114, 2022: 892021: 93, 2020: 882019: 17, 2018: 101 72 Memphis Memphis PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowWilliam Whitlow, DE Opener: UT Chattanooga2024 Preseason Rank: 502024 Final Rank: 472023: 45, 2022: 702021: 91, 2020: 502019: 9, 2018: 66 71 USF USF PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowJhalyn Shuler, LB Opener: Boise State2024 Preseason Rank: 762024 Final Rank: 682023: 74, 2022: 1262021: 103, 2020: 1132019: 104, 2018: 78 70 Washington State Washington State PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowCaleb Franci, LB Opener: Idaho2024 Preseason Rank: 742024 Final Rank: 642023: 67, 2022: 332021: 71, 2020: 762019: 76, 2018: 16 69 Tulane Tulane PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowDerrick Graham, OT Opener: Northwestern2024 Preseason Rank: 692024 Final Rank: 452023: 62, 2022: 162021: 99, 2020: 652019: 62, 2018: 67 68 Purdue Purdue PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowDevin Mockobee, RB Opener: Ball State2024 Preseason Rank: 652024 Final Rank: 902023: 69, 2022: 462021: 19, 2020: 612019: 103, 2018: 55 67 Northwestern Northwestern PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowXander Mueller, LB Opener: at Tulane2024 Preseason Rank: 702024 Final Rank: 722023: 35, 2022: 1102021: 80, 2020: 102019: 110, 2018: 27 66 Virginia Virginia PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowKam Robinson, LB Opener: Coastal Carolina2024 Preseason Rank: 712024 Final Rank: 772023: 73, 2022: 752021: 53, 2020: 452019: 31, 2018: 39 65 Wake Forest Wake Forest PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowNick Anderson, S Opener: Kennesaw State2024 Preseason Rank: 682024 Final Rank: 842023: 90, 2022: 422021: 23, 2020: 402019: 53, 2018: 49 64 Mississippi State Mississippi State PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowIsaac Smith, S Opener: at Southern Miss2024 Preseason Rank: 672024 Final Rank: 872023: 68, 2022: 232021: 28, 2020: 382019: 56, 2018: 35 63 Maryland Maryland PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowJalen Huskey, S Opener: Florida Atlantic2024 Preseason Rank: 422024 Final Rank: 762023: 26, 2022: 372021: 46, 2020: 522019: 113, 2018: 82 62 West Virginia West Virginia PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowJimmori Robinson, EDGE Opener: Robert Morris2024 Preseason Rank: 522024 Final Rank: 502023: 25, 2022: 662021: 44, 2020: 432019: 94, 2018: 37 61 Houston Houston PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowTanner Koziol, TE Opener: Stephen F. Austin2024 Preseason Rank: 582024 Final Rank: 732023: 84, 2022: 652021: 39, 2020: 862019: 101, 2018: 56 60 Boston College Boston College PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowKP Price, S Opener: Fordham2024 Preseason Rank: 592024 Final Rank: 522023: 48, 2022: 742021: 63, 2020: 482019: 84, 2018: 50 59 Cal Cal PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowCade Uluave, LB Opener: at Oregon State2024 Preseason Rank: 382024 Final Rank: 572023: 41, 2022: 672021: 57, 2020: 722019: 61, 2018: 81 58 Vanderbilt Vanderbilt PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowEli Stowers, TE Opener: Charleston Southern2024 Preseason Rank: 812024 Final Rank: 352023: 101, 2022: 602021: 104, 2020: 912019: 116, 2018: 74 57 Oklahoma State Oklahoma State PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowKyran Duhon, EDGE, Opener: UT Martin2024 Preseason Rank: 152024 Final Rank: 792023: 14, 2022: 452021: 6, 2020: 192019: 50, 2018: 45 56 Cincinnati Cincinnati PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowDontay Corleone, DT Opener: Nebraska (in Kansas City)2024 Preseason Rank: 492024 Final Rank: 562023: 79, 2022: 362021: 7, 2020: 92019: 22, 2018: 23 55 Arizona Arizona PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowDalton Johnson, S Opener: Hawaii2024 Preseason Rank: 172024 Final Rank: 712023: 13, 2022: 542021: 86, 2020: 902019: 105, 2018: 92 54 UCF UCF PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowNyjalik Kelly, EDGE Opener: Jacksonville State2024 Preseason Rank: 342024 Final Rank: 652023: 51, 2022: 322021: 48, 2020: 702019: 19, 2018: 9 53 UCLA UCLA PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowJaivian Thomas, RB Opener: Utah2024 Preseason Rank: 562024 Final Rank: 482023: 42, 2022: 212021: 42, 2020: 322019: 97, 2018: 100 52 Duke Duke PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowDarian Mensah, QB SophSeason Opener: Elon2024 Preseason Rank: 662024 Final Rank: 432023: 34, 2022: 312021: 107, 2020: 922019: 88, 2018: 24 51 Colorado Colorado PreviewPlayer You Need To KnowDJ McKinney, CB Opener: Georgia Tech2024 Preseason Rank: 472024 Final Rank: 322023: 64, 2022: 1032021: 76, 2020: 302019: 81, 2018: 99CFN Preview 2025 Rankings101-136 | 76-100 | 26-5011-25 | Top 10 | @ColFootballNewsCFN Previews of All 136 Teams Related: College Football Rankings 2025: CFN Preseason No. 26 to 50 - Power Programs That Could Crash the Top 25 © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado football's spot revealed in 247Sports' Big 12 preseason poll
The Big 12 announced last month that it will discontinue its conference-backed preseason media polls, following last year's poll that incorrectly predicted Arizona State, the eventual conference champion, would finish in last place. With no official media poll this year, many media outlets will compile their own polls. 247Sports recently released their preseason poll, with Arizona State (233 points) coming out on top after winning the Big 12 Championship a year ago. Kansas State (231 points), Texas Tech (213) and Baylor (213) round out the top four. Based on the vote totals, the Big 12 looks to be as competitive as ever. The poll slotted Colorado as the No. 10 overall team ahead of the Houston Cougars and behind BYU. With 127 points, the Buffs finished significantly ahead of Houston, which received only 81 points. Colorado seems to find itself around the middle of the pack when it comes to various preseason rankings, with USA TODAY Sports also having the Buffs as the tenth-best squad in their latest power rankings. As far as media polls go, they do a good job of providing fans with a snapshot of what to expect going into a season. However, with the transfer portal shifting how rosters are built, conferences like the Big 12 and Big Ten believe that preseason media polls do more harm than good. USA TODAY Sports' columnist Dan Wolken wrote that perhaps the Big 12 eliminated their preseason poll because of the "upside-down nature of last year's [2024] conference title race created a perception that the league wasn't very good." Wolken makes a great point that although Arizona State went on to win the Big 12, the preseason media poll generated a perception that the Sun Devils were worse than their record showed. Whether the negative perception indeed stemmed from the preseason poll's incorrect ranking remains to be seen. Still, it is a fair argument from a conference that may feel slighted by the College Football Playoff committee for undervaluing its conference. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark seemed to agree when talking at this week's Big 12 media days. Enjoy the preseason polls while they last, college football fans, but always take them with a grain of salt. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Dominion Post
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
No Big 12 preseason football poll this year, so we did our own
FRISCO, Texas – The Big 12 conference announced it won't release preseason rankings this season, following suit with the SEC. The Big 12 preseason rankings have been the basis for what the projected season is supposed to look like, but it has its flaws. They are a prediction, but in recent years they've been way off. Last year, Arizona State was projected as a bottom team in the conference, and the Sun Devils managed to win the Big 12 conference. It wasn't a good look for the poll. However, it did provide bulletin board material for those bottom teams. There will still be polls from other media outlets to add extra motivation. Here are the Dominion Post's Big 12 preseason rankings: Kansas State is one of the many Big 12 teams that returns its quarterback, Avery Johnson, who had a strong 2024. With a year under his belt, it looks to be only up. On the defensive side of the ball, this defensive line unit might be the best in the conference led by Tobi Osunsanmi. With more experience, the Wildcats should be in the running for the top spot at the end of the season. The Sun Devils were the surprise team of 2024, winning the conference. There are a lot of last year's players back on this year's team. However, the squad might struggle without star running back Cam Skattebo, who was the focal point of the offense. Texas Tech had one of the best transfer portals this offseason. The Red Raiders have fully taken advantage of NIL and have rumors of one of the most expensive rosters in college football. Will the money translate to the field is the question. It worked for Ohio State a year ago. It was a big bounce-back year for Baylor, who found its quarterback in Sawyer Robertson. Most of the 8-5 offense is back, too. Some new pieces on defense will patch up a low-ranked defense. This team is full of veterans who could put Baylor in contention for the Big 12 Title. The Cyclones are always competitive in the conference, and despite a boatload of injuries, managed to make the Big 12 Championship game. With a lot of starters back, Iowa State has a real shot at being back in the title game. Utah had a disappointing 2024 and was not up to experienced coach Kyle Whittingham's standards. He overhauled the offense, bringing in a new quarterback to potentially bring the Utes back into contention. But it could be a transition year with new faces, setting up the following season. One of the best quarterbacks, Jalon Daniels, struggled at the start of the season after losing his offensive coordinator to Penn State. There are a couple of key pieces back on the offense and if everything is clicking, it should make for one of the best in the conference. The defense could hinder the success with a lot of new players, though. The Cougars were in contention to win the conference until early in late June and early July when BYU suspended starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff for violating the university's code, forcing them into a quarterback competition just two months before the start of the season. The defense will still be solid, but without a veteran quarterback, they'll struggle. The Horned Frogs had a strong 2024. Quarterback Josh Hoover is back, so the air attack won't be an issue. But, the rushing attack was insufficient and might not improve in 2025. The defense should improve with a couple of big names returning. TCU could have a shot in the Big 12 Championship if all areas click. Colorado was pried of a lot of talent to the NFL this offseason. Most importantly, no Heisman Trophy two-way star Travis Hunter or quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This is a restock year for coach Deion Sanders and company, but Sanders did make some moves that could make them competitive this year. The Bearcats added a lot of help for returning quarterback Brendan Sorsby to help him take the next step in 2025. The secondary did take a significant blow from the NFL Draft, so it could hold them back in 2025. There's optimism if Sorsby and the secondary perform, Cincinnati could exceed expectations. There's a lot of work to be done for second-year coach Willie Fritz, especially on the offense. The offense ranked at the bottom of the Big 12. Fritz brought in a familiar coordinator to improve the attack. The defense has a lot of question marks that could keep the Cougars out of bowl contention. After a disappointing season, Mike Gundy completely overhauled the team through the transfer portal. It won't be an immediate turnaround but it could be a step in the right direction to get the Cowboys competitive again. The Mountaineers received a complete makeover this year with the arrival of head coach Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez brought in the second-most transfers, so it'll be an almost new team. WVU is another team that doesn't have a starting quarterback yet, so it'll be a season of the unknown. If any coach can make the Mountaineers competitive, it's Rodriguez, who's done it before. Arizona's underperforming offense lost its biggest stars for 2025, shaping up for another rough season. The Wildcats do get a couple of pieces back from injury, but it won't be enough to be a threat in the conference. The Golden Knights are one of the few teams this year with a new coach. Scott Frost is back for UCF, hoping to improve a two-win conference team last year. However, its quarterback situation remains an unknown and there weren't enough pieces added surrounding to strengthen the position. The defense could help keep UCF from the bottom of the conference. Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State, RS-So. Defensive Player of the Year: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech, Sr. Newcomer of the Year: Devon Dampier, QB, Utah, Jr. Preseason all-Big 12 offense QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State RB: Bryson Washington, Baylor RB: Jahiem White, West Virginia. FB/H-Back: Will Swanson, Kansas State WR: Eric McAlister, TCU WR: Chase Roberts, BYU WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State OL: Spencer Fano, Utah OL: Bryce Foster, Kansas OL: Caleb Lomu, Utah OL: Jordan Seaton, Colorado PK: Will Ferrin, BYU PR/KR: Josh Cameron, Baylor Preseason all-Big 12 defense DL: David Bailey, Texas Tech DL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State DL: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech DL: Domonique Orange, Iowa State LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech LB: Austin Romaine, Kansas State LB: Keaton Thomas, Baylor DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State DB: Bud Clark, TCU DB: Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State DB: DJ McKinney, Colorado DB: Jontez Williams, Iowa State P: Palmer Williams, Baylor
