The 1961 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team was an American football team that represented Texas Technological College (now known as Texas Tech University) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 college football season.

In their first season under head coach J. T. King, the Red Raiders compiled a 4–6 record (2–5 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the SWC, and were outscored by a combined total of 201 to 94.

The team played its home games at Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

[14] The Red Raiders' rushing offense was led by Coolidge Hunt who gained 486 yards on 128 carries for a 3.8-yard average.

[14] The passing offense was led by quarterbacks Doug Cannon (37-for-77, 442 yards, one touchdown, six interceptions) and Johnny Lovelace (28-for-69, 359 yards, no touchdowns, four interceptions).