The Kansas vs. Texas Tech football matchup has produced everything from three-point completions to games decided by multiple scores. Just looking at the final results might suggest a simple pattern, but the numbers behind the past five meetings reveal a more interesting story.
Texas Tech has controlled the recent series, winning each of the last five games. However, Kansas had moments when its offense moved the football effectively and kept the game within reach. Understanding those games gives fans a clearer picture of how this Big 12 matchup has developed.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech Last 5 Football Meetings
The teams did not meet during the 2024 season due to the Big 12 scheduling rotation. So their five most recent meetings span from 2020 to 2025.
| Weather | Location | Conclusion | Winning margin |
| 2025 | Lubbock, Texas | Texas Tech 42, Kansas 17 | 25 |
| 2023 | Lawrence, Kansas | Texas Tech 16, Kansas 13 | 3 |
| 2022 | Lubbock, Texas | Texas Tech 43, Kansas 28 | 15 |
| 2021 | Lawrence, Kansas | Texas Tech 41, Kansas 14 | 27 |
| 2020 | Lubbock, Texas | Texas Tech 16, Kansas 13 | 3 |
In those five meetings, Texas Tech scored 158 points compared to Kansas’ 85. That works out to an average of 31.6 points per game for Texas Tech and 17 points per game for Kansas.
Those averages tell part of the story, but the individual games show why this matchup can’t be judged by scores alone.
What does Texas Tech’s five-game winning streak tell us?
The clear trend is consistency.
Texas Tech has found several different ways to beat Kansas. Some games have been comfortably controlled, while others have gone to the last minute.
This difference matters.
A team that only wins high-scoring games can rely heavily on its offense. Texas Tech’s recent results against Kansas show something broader. The Red Raiders have won games where they scored more than 40 points, as well as defensive contests where 16 points were enough.
It’s easy to see the opposite.
| Game type | Example | What does this show? |
| High scoring wins | 43-28 in 2022 | Texas Tech can create separation offensively. |
| Defensive war | 16-13 in 2023 | The Red Raiders can win without a big score. |
| Comfortable victory | 42-17 in 2025 | Texas Tech could control the matchup through four quarters. |
| Stop the street style war. | 16-13 in 2020 | Small margins still require late-game action. |
This ability to win a variety of games has been one of the strongest patterns in recent series.
Why was the 2023 Kansas vs. Texas Tech game so important?
The November 11, 2023 meeting is particularly useful when studying this matchup.
Texas Tech won 16-13 , but Kansas actually finished with more total offense, gaining 344 yards compared to Texas Tech’s 312.
This makes the game a valuable reminder that total yardage is not always the deciding statistic.
Kansas scored 13 in the final period before entering the fourth quarter without a point. Texas Tech was still able to protect its advantage and left Lawrence with the victory.
The lesson from this game is simple: possession efficiency, field position, scoring opportunities and late-game execution matter more than simply accumulating yards.
What happened when the crimes were solved in 2022?
The 2022 meeting looked completely different.
Texas Tech won 43-28 , although Kansas produced 525 total yards compared to 510 for the Red Raiders.
For Kansas, this result showed the challenge of converting productive offensive possessions into enough points to control the game.
| 2022 Statistics | Kansas | Texas Tech |
| Final score | 28 | 43 |
| Total crime | 525 yards | 510 yards |
| Touchdowns | 4 | – |
| Conclusion | Loss | Win |
Kansas moved the football well, but Texas Tech was more effective where it mattered most: putting points on the scoreboard.
This pattern is worth watching whenever these teams meet again. Offensive yardage can create opportunities, but finishing the drive often determines whether those opportunities become meaningful.
How different were Close Games from Blowout?
The last five meetings take place in two completely different groups.
Two games were decided by just three points, while the other three were decided by at least 15.
| Meeting | Margin | Game type |
| 2020 | 3 points | Very close |
| 2021 | 27 points | One-sided |
| 2022 | 15 points | Clear separation |
| 2023 | 3 points | Very close |
| 2025 | 25 points | One-sided |
This uneven pattern makes Kansas vs. Texas Tech more interesting than the five-game winning streak alone would suggest.
Kansas has shown it can keep matchups close. The biggest problem is finishing those games.
When Texas Tech establishes a big early advantage, Kansas has typically found it more difficult to recover.
What did the 2025 meeting add to the series?
The most recent meeting took place on October 11, 2025, when Texas Tech defeated Kansas 42-17 in Lubbock .
Texas Tech entered this matchup ranked No. 9 and was undefeated at 5-0, while Kansas moved to 4-2. Before the game, Texas Tech was averaging 48.6 points and 568.8 yards of total offense per game, according to the school’s game notes.
The final result reinforced a major theme of the recent series: While Texas Tech’s offense has found consistent rhythm, Kansas has struggled to match its scoring momentum.
The 25-point margin was also the second largest in five recent meetings.
Does playing in Lubbock make any difference?
History suggests that playing at Texas Tech has been particularly challenging for Kansas.
Before the 2025 matchup, Texas Tech held an 11-1 home record against Kansas , with the Jayhawks’ only victory coming in Lubbock in 2001.
Recent findings support this historical trend.
| Recent game in Lubbock | Conclusion |
| 2025 | Texas Tech 42-17 |
| 2022 | Texas Tech 43-28 |
| 2020 | Texas Tech 16-13 |
All three of these games ended in Texas Tech victories.
Home field history doesn’t determine what will happen in future meetings, but it does provide useful context for understanding the series.
What does Kansas need to improve based on these games?
Previous meetings show that Kansas doesn’t need dramatically more offensive production.
In both 2022 and 2023, Kansas actually generated more total yards than Texas Tech and still lost.
It draws attention to performance.
| Viewing area | Why does this matter? |
| Erasing drives | Moving the ball means very little without points. |
| Red zone enforcement | Close games can turn a missed opportunity around. |
| Limiting explosive plays | Texas Tech has produced 40+ points in three recent meetings. |
| Starting fast. | Big early deficits make matchups very difficult. |
| Fourth quarter implementation | Only three points were decided in the two recent meetings. |
For Kansas, improving these details matters more than simply trying to generate extra yards.
What good has Texas Tech done against Kansas?
Texas Tech’s greatest advantage is its ability to adapt.
The Red Raiders haven’t relied on any one formula in recent series.
They scored 41 points in 2021, 43 in 2022, and 42 in 2025. Yet they also won 16-13 games in both 2020 and 2023.
That means Kansas faces two different challenges: slowing down Texas Tech when the Red Raiders are generating explosive offense and finding enough scoring opportunities when Texas Tech turns the game into a low-scoring contest.
This persistence helps explain why the recent head-to-head record has been so one-sided.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech: Five-game trend at a glance
| Trend | What do the last 5 meetings show? |
| Recent record | Texas Tech won all five. |
| Nearest games | 2020 and 2023, both decided by 3. |
| Highest scoring meeting | 2022, 71 combined points |
| The largest margin | Texas Tech by 27 in 2021 |
| Latest result | Texas Tech 42-17 in 2025 |
| Kansas’s main challenge | Converting offensive production into points |
| The power of Texas Tech | Winning high and low scoring games |
What can we learn from the Kansas vs. Texas Tech series?
The biggest takeaway from the recent Kansas vs. Texas Tech football meetings isn’t just that Texas Tech has won five straight.
These victories have happened in the same way .
Texas Tech has won shootout-style games, defensive battles and comfortable multi-score contests. Meanwhile, Kansas has shown it can generate offense and stay competitive in this matchup, especially when it prevents Texas Tech from taking an early scoring advantage.
The 2022 and 2023 games are particularly revealing as Kansas outscored Texas Tech in both contests but failed to convert those advantages into victories.
For future meetings, this makes performance one of the most important areas to look at. Total yards in the box score may look impressive, but touchdowns, field position, turnovers and execution in high-pressure moments ultimately shape the outcome.
Final thoughts
Recent history clearly belongs to Texas Tech, but the past five meetings haven’t followed a simple pattern.
Two were decided by just three points. All three were comfortable Texas Tech victories. Kansas has occasionally generated more yardage, while Texas Tech has consistently done a better job converting its chances into winning outcomes.
That’s what makes the matchup worth following.
When the Jayhawks and Red Raiders meet, the most telling numbers may not be total offensive yards. See how effectively each offense finishes drives, how quickly Texas Tech establishes momentum and whether Kansas can convert productive possessions into points.
These details have told the real story of this series in the last five meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is KU’s biggest rival?
Kansas’ most famous rivalry is with Kansas State , especially in football, while Missouri is also a historic rival through the Border War. The Kansas–Kansas State matchup is commonly known as the Sunflower Showdown.
Who is the favorite to win the Texas Tech game?
The favorite depends on the specific opponent, game history, injuries, and current team form. Since point spreads change frequently, the most up-to-date pregame line should be checked close to kickoff.
Is there a Kansas State game today? No. Kansas State
has no college football games scheduled for October 1, 2026, according to current schedule data .
Who is Texas Tech’s biggest football rival?
Texas Tech has several notable football rivalries, including matchups with Texas, TCU, and Baylor . What is considered the “biggest” can vary depending on the era and fan base.
What sport is Texas Tech best at?
Texas Tech has achieved notable success in several sports, most notably men’s basketball, track and field, baseball, and football . Its basketball program gained national attention with a run to the NCAA Championship Game in 2019.
Who do you prefer, Kansas or Texas Tech? The favorite for a specific
Kansas vs. Texas Tech game depends on current rankings, form, injuries, location, and the latest market line. I can’t verify the live point spread here, so a current sportsbook or major sports outlet is needed for the latest numbers.
Also read: Peter Orszczug Bald Luck Explained: Facts About His Changing Appearance