Texas Tech Projected for College Football Playoff Showdown with Notre Dame

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The 2025 college football season is off to an exciting start, especially for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Under Joey McGuire, the team’s already put up some serious points in the first two weeks—fans and analysts are definitely paying attention.

CBS Sports has noticed Texas Tech’s potential and is projecting them to make the College Football Playoff (CFP). They’ve got the Red Raiders facing off with the storied Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round, which is a matchup that’s sure to get people talking.

This projection, along with the other possible pairings, sets up what could be a wild season.

Texas Tech’s Early Season Success

It’s early in 2025, but Texas Tech has already made a statement. Their offense is clicking, and the high-scoring starts have fans in Lubbock buzzing.

The excitement isn’t just local—analysts and fans across the country are starting to believe this team might be able to pull off something special.

The Joey McGuire Effect

Joey McGuire’s impact on the Red Raiders is obvious. His coaching style and gutsy decisions have turned this team into a real contender.

The players seem to thrive under his leadership, and it’s showing up on the field. McGuire’s energy and ability to motivate have been huge for Texas Tech so far.

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CBS Sports’ College Football Playoff Projections

The folks at CBS Sports are watching Texas Tech closely this season. They see what McGuire and his squad could do, including a possible run to the College Football Playoff.

According to CBS Sports, Texas Tech is projected to face Notre Dame in the CFP’s first round. That’s a matchup with a lot of history and hype behind it.

Notre Dame: A Formidable Opponent

Notre Dame isn’t unbeaten right now. The Irish have had a tougher schedule, including a loss to a strong Miami Hurricanes team in week one.

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Still, Notre Dame is always a threat. A Red Raiders vs. Fighting Irish game doesn’t come around often, which only adds to the anticipation.

Other Projected College Football Playoff Matchups

CBS Sports’ projected CFP seeding features some other intriguing games. Here’s a look at the rest of their picks:

  • Ohio State Buckeyes vs. TBD in CFP Quarterfinal – Rose Bowl
  • LSU Tigers vs. TBD in CFP Quarterfinal – Sugar Bowl
  • Miami Hurricanes vs. TBD in CFP Quarterfinal – Orange Bowl
  • Penn State Nittany Lions vs. TBD in CFP Quarterfinal – Cotton Bowl
  • No. 5 seed Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 12 USF Bulls – CFP 1st Round
  • No. 6 seed Oregon Ducks vs. No. 11 seed South Carolina Gamecocks – CFP 1st Round
  • No. 7 seed Texas Longhorns vs. No. 10 seed Florida State Seminoles – CFP 1st Round
  • No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish – CFP 1st Round

Fascinating Lineup of Games

This lineup promises some real drama. Every matchup has its own story, and the powerhouses like Ohio State, LSU, Miami, and Penn State make those quarterfinals hard to ignore.

Controversial Rankings and Potential Surprises

The projected matchups are sparking debate. Some folks argue Florida State deserves a higher spot, while others wonder how South Carolina made the cut.

That kind of disagreement just adds fuel to the fire. The CFP projections are always a hot topic, honestly.

Potential Surprises and Dark Horses

Every college football season brings surprises. Sometimes teams that aren’t on anyone’s radar suddenly get hot and make a run.

That unpredictability is half the fun. Who’s to say which team will catch fire and shake up the playoff picture?

The Road Ahead for Texas Tech

For Texas Tech, the path to the CFP is full of both challenges and opportunities. Early success has raised expectations, but the real test is keeping it going.

There are some tough games ahead, and each one matters. The Red Raiders will have to prove they’re for real.

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Remaining Focused and Consistent

Staying focused is everything. One slip and the whole season could change.

Joey McGuire’s leadership will be key, but the players need to keep executing and building on what they’ve started. If they do, who knows? Maybe this is their year.

Conclusion

The 2025 college football season already feels like it could be wild. Texas Tech is off to a strong start, and CBS Sports’ playoff projections are stirring up plenty of chatter.

Fans have a lot to look forward to. There are bound to be unexpected twists, some upsets, and maybe even a few jaw-dropping moments as teams fight for a playoff spot.

If you want more details on the predictions or just want to keep tabs on Texas Tech, check out CBS Projects Texas Tech in College Football Playoff Matchup vs. Blue Blood Program Week 2, 2025. Should be a fun ride.

Joe Hughes
Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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