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.

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.

Jacob Rodriguez wore his cowboy hat for senior day to show his appreciation to Texas Tech football fans, then rewarded them with more Heisman moments.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. UCF Knights NCAAF game from November 15, 2025 on ESPN.

A victory Saturday would keep the Red Raiders positioned to potentially host a first-round CFP game, an opportunity available to teams ranked fifth through eighth in the final rankings released Dec. 7.

No. 6 Texas Tech enters the second half of its Week 12 contest with the UCF Knights with a 38-2 lead. However, right before halftime, quarterback Behren Morton

Disrespected after getting thrashed by No. 6 Texas Tech last week, No. 12 BYU responded with an impressive dismantling of TCU on Saturday night in Provo

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is already a do-it-all defender. But during Saturday’s rout of UCF, his coach added a surprising new wrinkle to his game.