Upset Alert: Cincinnati takes 3-possession lead over No. 8 Texas Tech entering halftime

Texas Tech entered Week 8’s game at Cincinnati with a 6-0 record and a 3-0 Big 12 mark.

The Red Raiders’ unbeaten record could be in serious jeopardy, though. The Bearcats hold a stunning 24-6 halftime lead at Nippert Stadium.

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Cincinnati trailed 6-3 in the second quarter before scoring the game’s first touchdown. JC French IV capped a 10-play drive with a four-yard toss to Cole Tabb as the Bearcats took a 10-6 lead with 7:48 left until the break. After forcing a Red Raiders three-and-out, the Bearcats’ lead grew to 17-6 with 1:37 to go as French connected with Malachi Henry from five yards out.

Cincinnati got it back with 31 seconds to go when Will Hammond’s long pass was picked off at the Bearcats’ 25. But 31 seconds was more than enough time for the Bearcats to get back into the end zone. Tabb took off for 51 yards to the Red Raiders’ 24 with 22 seconds left. Two plays later, French broke off a 22-yard run to get to the 2, setting up a Lyviel Waters TD to make it 24-6 with four seconds on the clock.

There’s still an entire half to go in this one. Texas Tech, a Top 20 scoring offense, is more than capable of turning this deficit around. But if Cincinnati can pull this off — and during Homecoming Weekend, no less — it will be the Red Raiders’ first regular-season defeat since October 18, 2025, a 26-22 loss at Arizona State.

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.