Star Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez took a snap at quarterback for a special reason on Saturday. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire believes his star linebacker, Jacob Rodriguez, should win the Heisman Trophy this year. The only problem? Rodriguez plays defense.

For those who have ever wondered how much of an advantage schools with significant donations for NIL have over those that don’t, you’ve got a case study for that in the 48-9 beatdown of the UCF Knights at the hands of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Texas Tech has not won an outright conference title game since 1955, yet head coach Joey McGuire left a spot open in the Red Raiders’ Womble Football Center during construction for the conference trophy. He will face either BYU, Cincinnati, Utah or Arizona State for the trophy on Dec. 6 if the Red Raiders win out.

Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez struck the Heisman Trophy pose again after the first offensive touchdown of his career, Reggie Virgil scored three times and No. 8 Texas Tech routed UCF 48-9.

Rodriguez’s score followed a big day against BYU, during which Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes endorsed his Heisman candidacy. He leads the nation in forced fumbles with seven, and his 13 career forced fumbles are tied for sixth in College Football Reference’s database.

The Knights surrendered 38 points in the first half and struggled to contain the Big 12’s best team, suffering their eighth straight road loss.

The Texas Tech football team recognized 28 seniors and their families before the regular-season home finale against Central Florida.

Reggie Virgil rushed for a 30-yard touchdown, extending the Texas Tech Raiders' lead over the UCF Knight.