The announcement of the 2024 football schedule is highly anticipated after the Big 12 expanded to 16 teams this summer. Now, it is reported that fans will finally be able to learn the official schedule for the conference on January 30th.
Of course, we already know who each team will play. I just don't know the order of the games.
Texas Tech will once again play five home conference games this season. Arizona State, Colorado, West Virginia, Baylor and Cincinnati are all in Jones Stadium, making it very difficult for Tech to win under Joey McGuire. Additionally, Abilene Christian and North Texas are scheduled to come to Lubbock on non-conference schedules.
But tech companies have struggled on the streets during McGuire's tenure. To change this narrative, the Red Raiders need to beat Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Iowa State, and TCU (and Washington State in non-conference games).
This will be a strange year in some ways, as Tech will not play Texas for the first time since 1959. It would also be strange for Tech to miss out on traditional Big 12 opponents like Kansas State and Kansas State. The matchup against the Jayhawks was a blessing for the Red Raiders considering Tech is 23-2 overall in the series, but KSU is currently on an eight-game winning streak against the Red Raiders, making it difficult to play against the Wildcats. It would be good to avoid it.
All in all, this is a pretty manageable schedule for McGuire's third team. Tech doesn't have to play Utah, the likely preseason favorite to win the Big 12. Additionally, K-State will also be a favorite to win the league, and this could be a good year for them to be taken off the schedule.
Now, let's take a look at what you should expect from the release schedule. And start by praying that Tech can avoid a potentially cold road trip.
No team wants to play Iowa State. Given the loyalty and passion of the Cyclones fan base, this is his one of the toughest road trips in the Big 12.
That's especially true considering going to Ames when it's cold. That's why Red Raider fans are hoping the Red Raider avoids a trip north in November.
That doesn't mean the Red Raiders can't come out of Jack Trice Stadium with a win late in the season. As recently as 2022, Tech was able to beat the Cyclones 14-10 on Nov. 19 in Ames.
But it was a rare feat for the Red Raiders. For example, in 2016, Tech traveled to Ames on a frigid November 10th and ended the game with a 66-10 victory despite losing quarterback Patrick Mahomes II.
The truth is, Tech hasn't had many wins over Iowa State, not necessarily because of the cold, but because the program hasn't been very good since the Mike Leach era. Still, cold-weather games usually don't go Tech's way, and avoiding Ames in November is always a plus. If all goes well, the 2024 schedule will have technicians on site early, when weather is not a factor.