Led by eighth-year head coach Mike Leach, the Red Raiders compiled an overall record of 9–4 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the Big 12's South Division with Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.

[2] Because Texas Tech went into the game with new starters in key positions on both offense and defense, CollegeFootballNews.com speculated that the SMU Mustangs would come away with an upset win over the Red Raiders.

The Red Raiders scored twice more in the second quarter on passes to Danny Amendola and redshirt freshman Michael Crabtree, both followed by successful point after tries.

Texas Tech got on the scoreboard first when Kobey Lewis rushed up the middle for a one-yard touchdown with Alex Trlica making the point after.

On their first drive, the Red Raiders scored, getting into the end zone on a pass from Graham Harrell to Shannon Woods for an eleven-yard gain.

Chase Clement connected with Toren Dixon down the middle for a thirteen-yard gain and the first Owl touchdown of the season.

After the beginning of the second quarter, Oklahoma State tied the score with a five-yard pass from Zac Robinson to Desmond Bryant, followed by a point after conversion by Jason Ricks.

However, Oklahoma State answered when quarterback Zac Robinson rushed up the middle 48-yards for a TD and Ricks made the point after.

The second half opened with a 35–28 Red Raider lead but the Cowboys tied it when Zac Robinson rushed for a touchdown, followed by successful point after conversion.

Oklahoma State again took the lead in the final period of play when Seth Newton passed to Jeremy Broadway for a 33-yard gain, followed by successful PAT.

The Red Raiders tied it again on a pass from Graham Harrell to Danny Amendola, followed by PAT, and took the lead on a 20-yard Alex Trlica field goal.

The Cowboys pulled ahead with the final score of the game when Zac Robinson passed to Brandon Pettigrew for a touchdown followed by point after conversion.

Northwestern State's only score came on a touchdown at the opening of the second quarter when Quarterback Germayne Edmond passed to Dudley Guice for an 18-yard gain.

Additionally, the Red Raiders scored on a safety when a fumble by the Demons bounced out of the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter.

The Red Raiders scored again in the second quarter when a Cyclone fumble was recovered by Darcel McBath who returned it 16 yards for a touchdown.

In their previous meeting, the Raiders outscored the Aggies 31–27, after Tech redshirt sophomore quarterback Graham Harrell made a 37-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the game.

First, a pass by Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was tipped resulting in an interception by Stryker Sulak who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown.

The Colorado Buffaloes scored twice—a touchdown in the first quarter and another in the second—before the Red Raiders put points on the board with two Alex Trlica field goals.

[40] Backup defensive end Eddie Jones and reserve safety Drew Kelson also missed the game, while linebackers Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle were listed as "questionable" and "probable", respectively.

[41] The Austin American-Statesman reported, "Defensively, Texas must hope that the injured are quick healers because it's a given that the Longhorns will need every available body against the Red Raiders.

[43] During his post-game press conference, Texas Tech's Mike Leach used most of his time to rail against the officiating crew for making what he felt were bad calls.

"[47] The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported, "Big 12 policy prohibits coaches from commenting publicly about game officials, so Leach's actions leave him open to reprimand, fine or worse.

"[45] ESPN reported, "Big 12 official spokesman Bob Burda did not immediately respond to telephone messages seeking comment.

[52] Tech alumni and fans began raising money to aid Leach in paying the penalty in the event that it was upheld.

[56] After starting at their own 20 yard line, Tech's quarterback Graham Harrell completed four straight passes to bring them to midfield.

On the Sooners' first offensive play, quarterback Sam Bradford handed the ball off to Allen Patrick who quickly fumbled.

[60] Texas Tech jumped out to an early 7–0 lead on a ten-yard touchdown pass from Graham Harrell on the Raiders' second possession of the game.

Virginia was again unable to pick up a first down and Texas Tech drove to the UVA 24-yard line, kicking the winning 41-yard field goal with two seconds left.

[62] Earlier in the season, Tech's head coach Mike Leach had been fined US$10,000 for criticizing the officiating during the game at Texas.

So following the Gator Bowl, he joked when referring to the two penalties assessed against his team for intentional grounding in the end zone, "I felt like we had a back there on the one safety, but I don't comment on officiating.