Texas Tech looks to build on 2015 history against Sam Houston State

The last time these two met, back in September 2015, Texas Tech beat Sam Houston State 59-45. Eleven years later the programs meet again, though this time it is a non-conference game rather than a natural pairing, with Texas Tech representing the Big 12 Conference and Sam Houston State representing Conference USA.

The gap between them has grown wide. Versus ranks Texas Tech No. 6 in FBS and Sam Houston State No. 129, a 123 spot difference, and the grades tell the same story: Texas Tech carries an A+ overall grade with a B+ offense and an A- defense, while Sam Houston State sits at a D- overall despite respectable C grades on both sides of the ball. Sam Houston State did show life last week, routing Nicholls State 59-0 in its most lopsided win since September 2019, but that came against far different competition than it will face here.

Texas Tech enters unbeaten at 3-0 and carries a 10-game home winning streak into this one, a run dating back to November 2024. Versus projects a 35-17 result in Texas Tech's favor, giving the Red Raiders an 85 percent chance to win at home and extend that streak against a Sam Houston State team still working to close the distance.