ARLINGTON, Texas — For the second time this season, BYU was handed defeat at the hands of the Texas Tech Raiders.
This time, it cost the Cougars a Big 12 title and possibly a College Football Playoff appearance.
After No. 4 Texas Tech bested No. 11 BYU on Saturday afternoon, 34-7, Cougar coach Kalani Sitake had some high praise for his opponents in red and black.
"I've said it before, I think they're the best team in the country," Sitake said about the Red Raiders. "It just so happens that we had to play the best team in the country twice."
Against Texas Tech, BYU's offense was stifled for all but one drive. The Red Raiders forced four turnovers — two interceptions and two fumbles — and held BYU to only 86 total yards of offense in the second half.
"That is the best defense I've ever gone against," BYU receiver Kingston said. "That is the best defense in the country."
Saturday's loss was only the second of the season for the Cougars, but with both being to Texas Tech, BYU believes it lost to the best the country has to offer.
"They're the No. 1 team in the country. I don't know what the other rankings are, this team is really good," Sitake said. "So you go play the No. 1 team in the country twice — one in Lubbock and one in a neutral site that's in the same state — I'd love another crack at it, but they do that to everybody."
Headed into Saturday's matchup, Texas Tech was ranked No. 4 in the CFP rankings. It can possibly jump Ohio State or Indiana when one of the two teams loses in the Big 10 title game, or even Georgia if it loses to Alabama in the SEC title game.
The final CFP rankings will be revealed on Sunday at 10 a.m. MDT on ESPN.