### Texas Tech Red Raiders Make History with First Big 12 Championship Title The No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders achieved a historic milestone by winning their first-ever Big 12 Championship title, defeating the No. 11 BYU Cougars 34-7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Red Raiders but also secures them a likely first-round bye in the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) due to their impressive season record of 12-1 [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/highlights-no-4-texas-tech-031228523.html, https://www.apnews.com/article/big-12-championship-byu-texas-tech-score-9db2ebbf007f8ce637f636d7467d5582]. ### Breakdown of the Championship Game and Its Implications 1. **Game Overview**: - Texas Tech dominated the game, particularly in the second half, where they forced four turnovers from BYU, leading to a decisive victory [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/texas_tech_dominates_byu_34_7_for_first_big_12_title/s1_17106_43172079]. - The Red Raiders' quarterback, Behren Morton, threw for two touchdowns, contributing significantly to the team's offensive success [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-tech-byu-prediction-pick-odds-spread-where-to-watch-live-big-12-championship-game]. 2. **Key Players**: - Texas Tech's defense was led by linebacker Ben Roberts, who had two interceptions, showcasing a strong defensive performance [https://www.apnews.com/article/big-12-championship-byu-texas-tech-score-9db2ebbf007f8ce637f636d7467d5582]. - BYU's freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, struggled against the Red Raiders' defense, which ultimately led to BYU's downfall in the game [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/top_3_takeaways_from_the_big_12_football_championship_game/s1_17644_43169466]. 3. **Playoff Implications**: - With this victory, Texas Tech has secured a spot in the College Football Playoff, and their performance suggests they may receive a top seed, potentially allowing them a first-round bye [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-tech-wins-big-12-title-and-likely-first-round-cfp-bye-with-34-7-win-over-byu]. - Conversely, BYU's chances of making the playoff have significantly diminished, as they now face a challenging path to secure a spot after this loss [https://inews.zoombangla.com/texas-tech-claims-big-12-crown-but-byus-playoff-hopes-hang-in-the-balance]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Final Score**: Texas Tech 34, BYU 7 - **Turnovers**: BYU committed four turnovers in the second half, which were pivotal in the game's outcome [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/texas_tech_dominates_byu_34_7_for_first_big_12_title/s1_17106_43172079]. - **Season Records**: - Texas Tech: 12-1 (8-1 Big 12) - BYU: 11-2 (8-1 Big 12) [https://www.damalion.com/texas-tech-wins-first-big-12-title-over-byu-34-7]. ### Conclusion: A Historic Win for Texas Tech In summary, the Texas Tech Red Raiders' victory over BYU in the Big 12 Championship is a landmark achievement for the program, marking their first conference title and securing a place in the College Football Playoff. The game showcased Texas Tech's defensive prowess and offensive efficiency, setting the stage for a promising playoff run. 1. **Historic Achievement**: First Big 12 title for Texas Tech. 2. **Dominant Performance**: Strong second-half showing with key turnovers. 3. **Playoff Positioning**: Likely first-round bye secured for Texas Tech, while BYU's playoff hopes are in jeopardy. This championship win not only elevates Texas Tech's status in college football but also sets a new benchmark for future seasons [https://www.flashscore.com/news/texas-tech-defeats-byu-34-7-to-win-first-ever-big-12-championship/G4dPkKxp].