Massive investment, massive payoff. No. 4 Texas Tech's commitment to building a championship-caliber roster culminated Saturday in the Big 12 Championship Game, where the Red Raiders dominated No. 11 BYU, 34-7. It's Texas Tech's first outright conference title since 1955 and secures their spot in the College Football Playoff with a first-round bye.
Aside from the opening defensive lapse when the Cougars marched 90 yards for a touchdown on their opening possession, the Red Raiders were in total control. Texas Tech's defense settled in and made the adjustments behind potential Heisman Trophy finalist and star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who finished with 13 total stops and a tackle for loss as the Red Raiders piled up eight on the day.
The Red Raiders forced four turnovers in the second half that completely flipped the game's trajectory and snuffed out any chance of a BYU rally. The first -- and most costly -- came when BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw an interception inside his own 20. Cameron Dickey cashed it in immediately, rumbling 11 yards for a touchdown on the next snap, and the ensuing 2-point conversion pushed the lead to 21-7.
Texas Tech's defensive front then delivered the knockout punches. In the fourth quarter, Anthony Holmes Jr. jarred the ball loose from Bachmeier on a strip sack, and Romello Height pounced on the fumble as the havoc-wreaking defensive line continued to take over. Moments later, Roberts added his second interception of the afternoon, slamming the door on BYU for good.
The Cougars unraveled down the stretch, with six of eight second-half possessions ending in self-inflicted mistakes -- turnovers, turnovers on downs or a missed field goal.
CFP impact of Texas Tech over BYU
No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1): In delivering another statement win -- as they have for much of the season under McGuire -- the Red Raiders have locked up not only the Big 12 title but a first-round bye in the playoff, each for the first time in program history. One of the nation's most efficient defensive teams, Texas Tech added three takeaways to its FBS-leading total, frustrating BYU at the line of scrimmage.
The Red Raiders are projected to receive the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the final CFP Rankings on Selection Sunday. If slotted No. 3, their first playoff game would come in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 against the 6-11 winner. At No. 4, they would play the 5-12 winner at a site determined by how the rest of the field shakes out.
Considering "game control" is Texas Tech's primary strength inside the metrics conversation, there's even a chance it could move ahead of Indiana, should the No. 2 Hoosiers lose to No. 1 Ohio State in Saturday night's Big Ten Championship Game.
No. 7 BYU (11-2): This loss put the nail in the coffin of BYU's chances at reaching the playoff considering it was on the at-large bubble sandwiched between Notre Dame and Miami. A bowl source confirmed to CBS Sports during the game that the Cougars are likely heading to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which will be played in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 27. As the highest-ranked Big 12 representative not in the playoff, BYU would face a top-tier ACC finisher. The Cougars would be a first-time participant in the game. CBS Sports' final bowl projections will be published Saturday night.
