The late-game chants told the story even better than the scoreboard.

“Overrated! Overrated!” echoed throughout Nippert Stadium.

Strike another undefeated team from college football’s dwindling list.

And now Texas Tech needs help, both to defend its Big 12 championship and return to the College Football Playoff.

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The Red Raiders entered Saturday undefeated and ranked No. 5 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. They left Cincinnati with their season suddenly looking much different after Scott Satterfield’s Bearcats handed them a 37-24 loss, Cincinnati’s first home victory over a top-10 opponent since 2006.

For Texas Tech, the damage goes beyond one loss.

The Red Raiders don’t face current No. 2 BYU or No. 9 Utah during the regular season. Both now sit ahead of Texas Tech in the Big 12 standings, while Tech still lacks anything resembling a signature victory through the season’s first half. Its nonconference schedule consisted of FCS program Abilene Christian, Oregon State and Sam Houston State.

And this one got away quickly.

Cincinnati turned a tight game into a romp over the final eight minutes of the first half, burying Texas Tech with a 21-0 scoring blitz.

Quarterback JC French IV started the avalanche with the first of his four touchdown passes, finding Cole Tabb to turn a 6-3 deficit into a 10-6 lead.

Texas Tech never led again.

French added two more touchdown passes before halftime, then delivered his fourth late in the third quarter to stretch Cincinnati’s advantage to 31-15.

Tabb did plenty of damage himself. The junior tailback led the Bearcats on the ground, gashing a Texas Tech defense that entered the day ranked No. 5 nationally against the run for more than 170 yards. His 58-yard touchdown scamper was the first rushing score the Red Raiders had surrendered all season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas Tech no longer controls its destiny after disastrous Cincinnati loss

Source: Yahoo Sports