Texas Tech Dominates Abilene Christian in Season Opener
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Galaxy Stadium
Texas Tech Red Raiders 33, Abilene Christian Wildcats 10, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Abilene Christian Wildcats vs Texas Tech Red Raiders?
Texas Tech Red Raiders beat Abilene Christian Wildcats 33-10 at Galaxy Stadium on September 5, 2026.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders showcased their dominance in their season opener against the Abilene Christian Wildcats, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 33-10. This matchup highlighted the stark contrast in the teams' recent performances, with Texas Tech coming off a six-game winning streak and Abilene Christian struggling with two consecutive losses.
Texas Tech entered the game with a strong home record of 1-0 for the season and an impressive overall record of 9-1 in their last ten games. They averaged 37.8 points scored per game while allowing just 10.7 points, demonstrating their offensive prowess and defensive strength. In their last five games, the Red Raiders maintained a perfect record of 5-0, scoring an average of 40.6 points and allowing only 8.6 points, further emphasizing their form.
Conversely, Abilene Christian faced challenges early in the season, holding a record of 0-2. They had a mixed record of 7-3 over their last ten games, but their recent performance was concerning, with two straight losses. The Wildcats averaged 32.0 points scored per game but also allowed 22.5 points, indicating vulnerabilities on defense. Their last five games showed a record of 3-2, with an average of 30.4 points scored and 24.0 points allowed.
The game took place at Galaxy Stadium, where Texas Tech has been particularly strong, boasting a perfect home record of 5-0 in their last five home games. In contrast, Abilene Christian's away record stood at 3-3, highlighting their struggles in hostile environments.
In terms of previous meetings, this fixture was particularly noteworthy as it marked a continuing trend of Texas Tech's dominance over Abilene Christian. The Red Raiders had previously outperformed the Wildcats in past encounters, and this game further solidified that trend.
Injuries did not appear to significantly impact either team for this matchup, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. The market had Texas Tech heavily favored, with DraftKings setting the spread at -45.5, indicating strong expectations for a lopsided contest. The total for the game was set at 61.5, reflecting the anticipated scoring potential, but the final score fell short of that total.
The conditions during the game were favorable for both teams, contributing to an engaging atmosphere for the players and fans alike. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a display of Texas Tech's offensive capabilities, with their ability to score efficiently and maintain control of the game.
Overall, Texas Tech's performance against Abilene Christian was a clear statement of intent for the season, demonstrating their readiness to compete at a high level while leaving the Wildcats searching for answers as they continue to navigate a challenging start to their campaign.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Abilene Christian Wildcats is set to take place at Galaxy Stadium on September 5, 2026. This game is noteworthy as it marks the season opener for Texas Tech, who will be looking to build on their strong home performance from the previous season. The Red Raiders come into this game with a home record of 5-0 in their last ten games, having averaged 40.6 points scored and only 8.6 points allowed in their last five home games. In contrast, the Wildcats are coming off a loss, making their away record more precarious at 3-3.
In their last five games, Texas Tech has been dominant, winning all but one, with their most recent victory being a 34-7 win against BYU on December 6, 2025. They also secured a commanding 49-0 victory over West Virginia and a 48-9 win against UCF. Their only loss in this stretch came from Oregon, where they were shut out 23-0. This impressive form has led to a six-game winning streak, which they will look to extend against Abilene Christian.
On the other hand, Abilene Christian has had a mixed bag of results recently, with a record of 3-2 in their last five games. Their last outing was a 14-21 defeat to Lamar on August 29, 2026, following a loss to Stephen F. Austin where they fell 34-41. Prior to these setbacks, they had secured three consecutive wins, including a notable 49-28 victory against Central Arkansas. Overall, the Wildcats have averaged 30.4 points scored in their last five games, but they have also allowed an average of 24.0 points.
The game will be played under warm conditions, with a temperature of 96°F and wind gusts reaching 20 mph, which could impact gameplay. The betting line from DraftKings currently favors Texas Tech heavily, with a spread of -45.5 and a total set at 60.5. This indicates that the market expects a high-scoring game, heavily tilted in favor of the Red Raiders.
In terms of key players, Abilene Christian's John David Black leads the team in passing with a performance of 15 completions on 25 attempts for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. Alex Broome contributes significantly in the rushing department with 14 carries for 75 yards, while Cristian Driver has been a reliable target in the receiving game, recording 5 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown.
As Texas Tech prepares to host Abilene Christian, they will be keen to leverage their home-field advantage and continue their strong scoring average. Viewers should watch for how Texas Tech's offense, which has been prolific at home, matches up against Abilene Christian's defense, particularly after the Wildcats' recent struggles. With the stakes high for both teams, especially for Abilene Christian looking to bounce back from their recent losses, this game promises to be an intriguing start to the college football season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TTU -45.5 | 61.5 o -112 / u -108 | Abilene Christian Wildcats — · Texas Tech Red Raiders — |
Leaders
- Passing yardsWill Hammond26/33, 298 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INTTexas Tech Red Raiders
- Rushing yardsJ'Koby Williams13 CAR, 71 YDS, 1 TDTexas Tech Red Raiders
- Receiving yardsKenny Johnson4 REC, 76 YDSTexas Tech Red Raiders
- Passing yardsJohn David Black18/32, 119 YDS, 1 INTAbilene Christian Wildcats
- Rushing yardsAlex Broome10 CAR, 52 YDSAbilene Christian Wildcats
- Receiving yardsCristian Driver8 REC, 93 YDSAbilene Christian Wildcats
Recent form
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last 10: 9-1Streak W637.8 scored · 10.7 allowed per game5-0 at home
- W34-7vs BYU CougarsDec 6
- W49-0at West Virginia MountaineersNov 29
- W48-9vs UCF KnightsNov 15
- W29-7vs BYU CougarsNov 8
- W43-20at Kansas State WildcatsNov 1
- W42-0vs Oklahoma State CowboysOct 25
- L22-26at Arizona State Sun DevilsOct 18
- W42-17vs Kansas JayhawksOct 11
- W35-11at Houston CougarsOct 4
- W34-10at Utah UtesSep 20
Abilene Christian Wildcats
Last 10: 7-3Streak L232 scored · 22.5 allowed per game3-3 away
- L14-21at Lamar CardinalsAug 29
- L34-41at Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksDec 6
- W38-20vs Lamar CardinalsNov 29
- W49-28at Central Arkansas BearsNov 22
- W17-10at Eastern Kentucky ColonelsNov 15
- W31-10vs Utah Tech TrailblazersNov 8
- W31-28vs Tarleton State TexansNov 1
- L24-31at Southern Utah ThunderbirdsOct 19
- W30-13at West Georgia WolvesOct 11
- W52-23vs North Alabama LionsOct 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| West Florida | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| Tarleton State | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| Austin Peay | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| North Alabama | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Abilene Christian | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| West Georgia | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| Central Arkansas | 1-1 | 0-1 |
| Cincinnati | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Colorado | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Houston | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Iowa State | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Kansas | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Kansas State | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Texas Tech | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| UCF | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Utah | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| West Virginia | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Arizona State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Arizona | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| BYU | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Baylor | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Oklahoma State | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| TCU | 0-1 | 0-0 |
Box score
| Stat | Abilene Christian Wildcats | Texas Tech Red Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 15 | 26 |
| Third downs | 6-15 | 5-12 |
| Fourth downs | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Total yards | 194 | 471 |
| Net passing yards | 119 | 298 |
| Completions | 18/32 | 26/34 |
| Yards per pass | 3.7 | 8.8 |
| Rushing yards | 75 | 173 |
| Rushing attempts | 29 | 39 |
| Yards per rush | 2.6 | 4.4 |
| Penalties | 4-17 | 5-60 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:48 | 32:12 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Texas Tech Red Raiders, below favours Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Venue
- Galaxy StadiumLubbock, TX
Elsewhere
- Will Hammond tosses TD in return from injury as No. 12 Texas Tech beats Abilene Christian 33-10
- Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Memphis Tigers: Full Highlights
- Jaylin Carter scores 4 TDs to lead Memphis past Arkansas State 42-24
- Nicholls Colonels vs. Kansas State Wildcats: Full Highlights
- Texas Wesleyan Rams vs. McNeese Cowboys: Full Highlights
- West Florida Argonauts vs. Central Arkansas Bears: Full Highlights
Picks for NCAAF
NCAAF rules and settlement
- A 42-point college football spread is not a prediction of a 42-point win
- How the moneyline works in college football
- What reverse line movement means in college football
- What an injury report means in college football
- What weather means in college football
- What a divisional game means in college football