2013 texas tech football: The Season That Made Us Believe

Why 2013 texas tech football still feels personal

Some seasons are just “a record and a schedule.” 2013 texas tech football wasn’t that for me.

It felt like a spark—new head coach energy, an offense that never apologized for throwing the ball, and that early stretch where every Saturday started to feel like a promise. On paper, it ends 8–5 overall and 4–5 in conference play.
But in real life? It was a season of moments—and moments are what fans actually remember.

Quick snapshot (so you’re not lost)

Here’s the clean “what happened” version before I tell you the story:

• Overall record: 8 wins, 5 losses
• Bowl game: Holiday Bowl win, 37–23 vs. Arizona State
• Scoring: 465 points (35.8 per game)
• Passing identity: No. 2 passing offense in FBS at 392.8 yards/game
• Highest ranking peak: reached No. 10 (AP and BCS) after going 7–0

The vibe shift: a new staff and an “Air Raid” heartbeat

This was Kliff Kingsbury’s first season as head coach, and the coaching staff around him mattered more than most people realize.
If you’re a casual fan, here’s the simplest way I explain it:

The offense wasn’t trying to “set things up.” It was trying to stress you out.
Quick throws, space, tempo, and receivers everywhere. And when a team plays like that, it changes the feeling in the stadium (and in your living room). Every drive feels like it can turn into points fast.

Coaching staff quick note: Kingsbury (Head Coach), plus key names like Sonny Cumbie and Eric Morris on offense, and Mike Smith/Matt Wallerstedt on defense.

The QB story that made the season unforgettable

If you only know 2013 texas tech football through a schedule page, you miss the human part: the quarterback situation felt like a movie.

The opener: a freshman walk-on walks in like he owns the place

Baker Mayfield started the season opener as a true freshman walk-on and put up a jaw-dropping debut—413 passing yards and four passing TDs, plus a rushing score vs. SMU.

That one night basically told fans:
“This team is going to be entertaining no matter what.”

Real-life fan tip: If you’re rewatching that game, don’t just stare at the QB. Watch the pace—how fast Tech snaps the ball after a completion. That tempo is part of the punch.

The handoff: Davis Webb steps in and the offense keeps rolling

Later, Davis Webb takes over as the season moves along, and the bigger takeaway isn’t “who won the job.” It’s that the system stayed dangerous even with true freshmen starting every game.

That’s rare. And it’s a big reason people still search 2013 texas tech football today.

The star you had to circle: Jace Amaro

Every season has a “security blanket” player. In 2013 texas tech football, it was Jace Amaro—and he wasn’t just good, he was historic.

• 106 catches, 1,352 yards (tight end record season production)
• He also broke the single-season tight end receiving yards record (and the Holiday Bowl became part of that story).

How I explain Amaro to someone who didn’t watch:
When defenses spread out to cover wide receivers, he lived in the middle like a cheat code. Third down? Need a steady gain? Throw it to Amaro and keep moving.

Real-life tip for young players / fans who want to learn:
Watch how often he runs option routes (he doesn’t always run the same break). He reads leverage, finds space, and makes the QB right. That’s not just talent—it’s football IQ.

The emotional arc: from 7–0 dreams to reality checks (and a strong finish)

This is the part where 2013 texas tech football becomes more than highlights.

The 7–0 start and the “we might be real” feeling

Tech started 7–0, and after the West Virginia win, that was the high-water mark: No. 10 in the rankings.

If you were watching live back then, you remember exactly where your confidence jumped up a level.

The stretch where the margin got thin (neutral, but honest)

After that, the season ran into ranked teams and tougher matchups, and the regular-season wins stopped coming.
I don’t even frame it as “everything fell apart.” I frame it like this:

• Big 12 play is a weekly stress test.
• When you’re built around scoring fast, turnovers and one or two defensive busts can flip a whole game.
• The team was still explosive, but the room for error got smaller.

That’s not negative—just the reality of playing a high-pace style against strong opponents.

The Holiday Bowl: the reward game (and the send-off we needed)

And then came the bowl game: Texas Tech 37, Arizona State 23.
Davis Webb threw for 403 yards and four TDs (tied a Holiday Bowl record).

So the season ended with the exact feeling fans wanted: proof the ceiling was real.

What the numbers say (without drowning you in stats)

If you want one stat that screams 2013 texas tech football, it’s this:

• No. 2 passing offense in FBS: 392.8 yards per game.

And here’s the other side that matters:

• Tech scored 35.8 points per game, but allowed 30.5.

My simple takeaway:
This team was built to win shootouts, control momentum with tempo, and turn games into track meets. When that worked, it felt unstoppable.

Sentiment analysis (positive + neutral only)

When people talk about 2013 texas tech football, the tone usually lands in two buckets:

Positive sentiment (what fans smile about)

• “That 7–0 start felt like the whole season was opening up.”
• “The Air Raid was pure fun—no boring Saturdays.”
• “Amaro was unreal—automatic chain-mover.”
• “Ending with a bowl win made it feel complete.”

Neutral sentiment (what fans say calmly, without doom)

• “The schedule got heavier, and the margin for error shrunk.”
• “Even with freshmen at QB, the system kept producing—just not every week.”

If you’re rewatching 2013 texas tech football today, do it like this

Here’s how to make it fun even if you already know the final scores:

FAQ (people actually ask these)

1) What was the final record for 2013 texas tech football?

8–5 overall, 4–5 in conference play.

2) Did 2013 texas tech football win a bowl game?

Yes—Holiday Bowl, 37–23 over Arizona State.

3) How high was 2013 texas tech football ranked during the season?

They peaked at No. 10 in the AP and BCS standings after the 7–0 start.

4) Why do people remember Jace Amaro from 2013 texas tech football?

Because he put up a record tight end season: 106 catches for 1,352 yards.

5) Who started at QB in 2013 texas tech football?

Baker Mayfield started the opener and had 413 passing yards and four passing TDs vs. SMU.
The season also featured Davis Webb starting games, and the offense finished as the No. 2 passing unit in FBS.

6) What style did 2013 texas tech football play?

An Air Raid-based approach, built around high-volume passing and tempo.

7) What’s the best single game to rewatch from 2013 texas tech football?

If you want the “payoff,” rewatch the Holiday Bowl (Webb: 403 yards, 4 TDs).
If you want the “belief moment,” rewatch the stretch around the 7–0 start and the ranking jump.

8) How would this team fit in today’s playoff world?

With today’s 12-team playoff format, teams have more room to survive a loss or two and still stay in the conversation.
That makes seasons like 2013 texas tech football even more interesting to imagine.

Useful outside links

Texas Tech official 2013 schedule: https://texastech.com/sports/football/schedule/2013

ESPN 2013 Texas Tech schedule page: https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/2641/season/2013

Holiday Bowl game page (Arizona State vs Texas Tech): https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/333642641/arizona-st-texas-tech

Texas Tech official 2013 roster: https://texastech.com/sports/football/roster/2013

College Football Playoff history (for era context): https://collegefootballplayoff.com/sports/2019/5/22/history