There are arguably no bigger matchups in college football this week than in Lubbock, Texas, where ESPN’s College GameDay has set up shop for the high-stakes Big 12 showdown between the No. 7 BYU Cougars and the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
This sudden emergence of Lubbock as the center of the college football universe shows the unprecedented success of Joey McGuire’s Texas Tech program. At 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big 12, the Red Raiders are seeking their best start to a conference season since 2008, driven by a stout defense that ranks first in the Big 12 in scoring defense and total yards allowed.
The Red Raiders face a formidable challenge in the undefeated Cougars (8-0, 5-0 Big 12), whose offense is quarterbacked by true freshman sensation Bear Bachmeier. The Cougars have been winning with efficiency, but the hostile environment of Jones AT&T Stadium — amplified by the presence of College GameDay — presents the toughest defensive test of Bachmeier’s young career.
Here’s what to know about the show’s week 11 location.
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Where will ‘College GameDay’ be for Week 111?
- Location: Lubbock, Texas.
- Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Matchup: No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech
This Week 11 clash is a battle of contrasting narratives: the consistent excellence of the Texas Tech defense against the high-flying efficiency of the BYU offense. For the Red Raiders, a victory is crucial to solidify their claim as a Big 12 Championship contender, while the Cougars aim to continue their undefeated run and make an indisputable statement on the national stage.
TEXAS TECH, ARE YOU READY?!
Next up, we’re headed to Lubbock for a Big 12 showdown between @BYUfootball and @TexasTechFB‼️ pic.twitter.com/Da4oo1luAk
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 1, 2025
Texas Tech has undeniably the best defense in the Big 12, leading the conference in scoring defense, rushing yards per game and total yards per game. This week, the Red Raiders will face running back L.J. Martin, who has tallied over 100 yards in every full game he’s played.
The Cougars have a true freshman at quarterback in Bear Bachmeier. Bachmeier has been a revelation for the BYU Cougars, leading the team to a remarkable 8-0 record in 2025 as the first true freshman quarterback in school history to start a season. Through eight games, Bachmeier has accumulated 1,693 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, complemented by 408 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, making him one of the most effective dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. Bachmeier has been widely recognized for his play, earning the Big 12 Freshman of the Week award five times in the first seven weeks, and also being added to the Manning Award Watch List.
Both Texas Tech and BYU have high-scoring offenses, both ranking within the top three of the conference, making Saturday afternoon a can’t-miss showdown.
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Upcoming ‘College GameDay’ schedule on ESPN
College GameDay does not announce it’s locations until days before the game.
The show almost always highlights one of the most anticipated matchups of the week, and a lot of that depends on the ebbs and flows of the college football week before the show makes a decision.
So far, the show has highlighted some of the best matchups this college football season.
| Week | Date | Location | Matchup |
| 1 | Aug. 30 | Columbus, Ohio | #3 Ohio State vs. #1 Texas |
| 2 | Sept. 6 | Norman, Oklahoma | #18 Oklahoma vs. #15 Michigan |
| 3 | Sept. 13 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Tennessee vs. #6 Georgia |
| 4 | Sept. 20 | Coral Gables, Florida | #4 Miami vs. Florida |
| 5 | Sept. 27 | University Park, PA | #3 Penn State vs. #6 Oregon |
| 6 | Oct. 4 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | #10 Alabama vs. #16 Vanderbilt |
| 7 | Oct. 11 | Eugene, Oregon | #3 Oregon vs. #7 Indiana |
| 8 | Oct. 18 | Athens, Georgia | #9 Georgia vs. #5 Ole Miss |
| 9 | Oct. 25 | Nashville, Tennessee | #10 Vanderbilt vs. #15 Missouri |
| 10 | Nov. 1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Utah vs. Cincinnati |
| 11 | Nov. 8 | Lubbock, Texas | #7 BYU vs. #8 Texas Tech |
Next week, No. 11 Texas goes to Athens to face No. 5 Georgia, and No. 12 Oklahoma faces No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Both of these high-profile matchups can be viewed as frontrunners for the Week 12 show.
MORE: College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 11 matchups
Who is the guest picker on ‘College GameDay’ for Week 11?
The guest picker for this week’s show has not been announced.
Texas Tech has had some notable alumni, but the most famous is former quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With the Kansas City Chiefs on a bye this week, will the three-time Super Bowl MVP make his way to Lubbock for one of the Red Raiders’ biggest games in recent memory?
One can only speculate.
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