The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the TCU Horned Frogs have a long and storied history on the gridiron, with their rivalry dating back to the early days of college football. The two teams have been facing off since 1926, with the Red Raiders holding a slight edge in the all-time series, 32-24-3. However, the Horned Frogs have been gaining ground in recent years, winning four of the last six meetings between the two teams.
Early Years of the Rivalry
The early years of the rivalry were marked by a series of close and competitive games, with neither team able to gain a clear advantage. The Red Raiders won the first meeting between the two teams in 1926, 28-16, but the Horned Frogs responded with a 14-13 victory in 1927. The two teams continued to trade wins and losses throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with the Red Raiders holding a slim 8-7-2 lead in the series at the end of World War II.
Modern Era of the Rivalry
The modern era of the rivalry began in the 1960s, with the Red Raiders and Horned Frogs meeting annually as members of the Southwest Conference. The Red Raiders dominated the series during this period, winning 15 of the 20 meetings between the two teams. However, the Horned Frogs began to gain ground in the 1990s and 2000s, winning four of the last six meetings between the two teams.
Recent Meetings
The Red Raiders and Horned Frogs have met six times since 2010, with the Horned Frogs winning four of those meetings. The Red Raiders' last victory in the series came in 2012, when they defeated the Horned Frogs 56-53 in triple overtime. The Horned Frogs responded with a 20-10 victory in 2013, and have won three of the last four meetings between the two teams.
2019 Meeting
The 2019 meeting between the Red Raiders and Horned Frogs was a highly anticipated matchup, with both teams looking to gain a crucial victory in the Big 12 standings. The Horned Frogs dominated the game from start to finish, winning 33-31 in a closely contested matchup. The Red Raiders' Jett Duffey threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough to overcome the Horned Frogs' potent offense.
Coaching Rivalry
The Texas Tech-TCU rivalry is not just about the players on the field, but also about the coaches on the sidelines. The Red Raiders' Matt Wells and the Horned Frogs' Gary Patterson have a long history of competition, dating back to their days as assistants in the Big 12. Wells, who took over as the Red Raiders' head coach in 2019, has spoken highly of Patterson and the Horned Frogs' program, but he is also eager to get a victory over his rival.
Recruiting Wars
The Texas Tech-TCU rivalry also extends to the recruiting trail, with both teams battling for the top talent in the state of Texas. The Red Raiders and Horned Frogs have been going head-to-head for recruits for years, with the Red Raiders often getting the upper hand. However, the Horned Frogs have been gaining ground in recent years, landing several top recruits from the state of Texas.
What to Expect in the Future
The Texas Tech-TCU rivalry is expected to continue to be one of the top rivalries in the Big 12 for years to come. With both teams competing for championships and recruiting the top talent in the state of Texas, the rivalry is only going to get more intense. The Red Raiders and Horned Frogs will meet again in 2023, with the Red Raiders looking to get their first victory in the series since 2012.
Predictions for the Future
With the rivalry expected to continue to be intense, it's hard to predict who will come out on top in the future. However, based on recent trends, it's likely that the Horned Frogs will continue to dominate the series. The Red Raiders will need to find a way to overcome their struggles on the road and against ranked opponents if they want to get back in the win column.
Conclusion
The Texas Tech-TCU rivalry is one of the top rivalries in the Big 12, with a rich history of competition on the field and on the recruiting trail. With both teams competing for championships and recruiting the top talent in the state of Texas, the rivalry is only going to get more intense. The Red Raiders and Horned Frogs will meet again in 2023, with the Red Raiders looking to get their first victory in the series since 2012.
What is the history of the Texas Tech-TCU rivalry?
+The Texas Tech-TCU rivalry dates back to 1926, with the two teams meeting annually as members of the Southwest Conference. The Red Raiders hold a slim lead in the all-time series, 32-24-3.
Who is the current head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders?
+Matt Wells is the current head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
What is the record between the Red Raiders and Horned Frogs in the Big 12 era?
+The Horned Frogs hold a 4-2 advantage over the Red Raiders in the Big 12 era.