The scoreboard at AT&T Stadium told a tale of total domination: Texas Tech 34, BYU 7. The No. 4 Red Raiders (12-1) dismantled the No. 11 Cougars (11-2) in ruthless fashion to snag the program’s first Big 12 title since joining the league in 1996 – and their first outright conference crown since 1955. But as confetti rained down on Lubbock’s finest, the real thunderclap came in the press room, where BYU head coach Kalani Sitake unloaded a blistering rant on NIL inequities that has the college football world ablaze.
This wasn’t just sour grapes after a blowout. It was a seismic shot across the bow of the modern game, exposing the raw financial chasm tearing at the sport’s soul. And when Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire stepped to the mic minutes later? His response was pure ice – a masterclass in deflection that turned the narrative on its head.
🏟️ Game Breakdown: Red Raiders Roll, Cougars Collapse in Epic Rematch
Texas Tech entered this rematch – avenging a razor-thin regular-season slip-up? No, wait: The Red Raiders had already humbled BYU 29-7 back on November 8 in Lubbock, holding the then-undefeated Cougars to a season-low 255 yards. Saturday’s sequel? Déjà vu on steroids.
The Red Raiders struck first with a 33-yard strike from QB Behren Morton to WR Coy Eakin, capping a 10-play, 70-yard drive. BYU answered with a gritty 14-play, 90-yard march, capped by RB LJ Martin’s 1-yard plunge to tie it at 7-7. But that was the high-water mark for the Cougars. Texas Tech’s defense – the nation’s top rushing D (78.4 YPG allowed) – clamped down, forcing four second-half turnovers, including two picks by LB Ben Roberts (a Big 12 championship record).
Morton, the sophomore gunslinger, diced up BYU for 285 yards and three TDs, while RB Cameron Dickey bulldozed for 112 yards and a score, including an 11-yard TD burst off Roberts’ first INT that ignited a 21-7 third-quarter explosion. Kicker Stone Harrington added three field goals (44, 28, and another) to salt the wound. BYU’s freshman phenom Bear Bachmeier? Hampered by an early ankle tweak, he limped to 148 yards, two picks, and a fumble – with the Cougars mustering just 200 total yards (90 on the opening drive).
Tech’s “unprecedented investment” – a $20M+ NIL collective fueled by oil baron Cody Campbell – built this juggernaut. Outscoring foes by 29.4 PPG (2nd nationally), the Red Raiders locked a CFP first-round bye as the top Big 12 seed. BYU? Their at-large dreams dashed, eyes now on a New Year’s Six bowl.
Key moments:
• Fake Punt Fiasco: BYU’s fourth-quarter gamble backfired spectacularly, gifting Tech prime field position for a field goal.
• Roberts’ Pick Party: Two INTs deep in Cougar territory flipped momentum, leading to 17 unanswered points.
• Harrington’s Boot: A school-record-tying performance sealed the rout.
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