Led by first-year head coach Tommy Tuberville, the Red Raiders compiled and overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing fifth in the Big 12's South Division.

The team played home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas On December 28, 2009, head coach Mike Leach was suspended by Texas Tech University pending investigation of alleged inappropriate treatment of Adam James, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, and the son of former SMU Mustangs and New England Patriots running back Craig James.

[5] Moore remained in the same position while Cumbie replaced Lincoln Riley as inside receiver's coach.

This was their first match-up since September 13, 2008, when Texas Tech defeated SMU with a final score of 43–7 at Jones AT&T Stadium.

The Red Raiders opening drive was equally as unproductive ending with a field goal by Matt Williams being blocked.

Texas Tech's first score of the game came in their third drive after the Red Raiders recovered a fumbled punt.

Following four rushing plays, Taylor Potts completed a touchdown pass to Lyle Leong for 2 yards.

The Red Raiders would be the first to score in the second quarter with a 6-yard Taylor Potts pass to Detron Lewis for a touchdown.

Their opening drive of the half consisted of six plays and ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass by Taylor Potts to Lyle Leong.

Their next score, and the last of the game, would come two drives later with a 13-yard touchdown pass by Kyle Padron to Cole Beasley and an extra point by Matt Szymanski.

The Red Raiders first drive ended in 4 plays with a 55-yard touchdown pass by Taylor Potts to Austin Zouzalik.

New Mexico's first drive lasted 9 plays and ended in blocked punt by which gave the Red Raiders the ball on the Lobos 3 yard line.

The Red Raiders capitalized on the blocked punt on the next play with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Eric Stephens and a successful extra point by Matt Williams for a score of 14–0.

This touchdown came way by a 25-yard Taylor Potts pass to Lyle Leong with a Matt Williams extra point for a score of 31–10.

Phillips returned the ball 27 yards to the New Mexico 13-yard line setting the Red Raiders up for a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Steven Sheffield two plays later.

This game also marked the first sell out at the Jones AT&T Stadium since the recent expansion was completed, and a new attendance record of 60,454 was set.

The ball was recovered by the Longhorns' Jackson Jeffcoat at Tech's 7-yard-line, and the Horns quickly scored for an early 7-0 lead.

The Texas lead grew to 14-0 and the Longhorns were threatening again when Tech's Jarvis Phillips intercepted a Garrett Gilbert pass and returning it 87 yards for a touchdown.

Tech tied up the game at 14-14 before halftime as Potts connected with his former high school teammate, Lyle Leong, on a fade route in the corner of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown.

The Bears got on the board first, taking the opening kickoff and marching 82 yards before scoring on Robert Griffin's 1-yard run.

Baylor took the lead again early in the second quarter on a Griffin TD pass to Josh Gordon, who had been arrested for marijuana possession earlier in the week after being found asleep in the drive-through lane at a Taco Bell in Waco.

[47] Down 17-7 in the third quarter, Texas Tech outscored Colorado 20-7 in the final 23:43 to win in Boulder, capped by a Matt Williams 36-yard field goal with 2:08 left.

Late in the second quarter, Potts came in at quarterback and quickly led Tech to a touchdown, an 8-yard pass to Detron Lewis.

[49] Tech clinched their 11th straight bowl berth with an easy non-conference win over FCS opponent Weber State.

Steven Sheffield came in to throw a TD pass to Aaron Crawford as Tech's second-team offense came in a few minutes before halftime.

Tech's reserves played the entire second half, with Ben McRoy scoring on two touchdown runs and Matt Williams and Donnie Carona adding a field goal each as the rout continued.

[50] The Red Raiders came into their final regular season, on Thanksgiving weekend at Jones AT&T Stadium, seeking revenge for their 2009 road loss to the Houston Cougars.

Tech went up 14-10 on a 26-yard run by Eric Stephens, and the Red Raiders added to their lead with another Potts-to-Lewis touchdown throw.

Potts threw second-half touchdown passes to Lyle Leong and Baron Batch as Tech pulled away for the win.