Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images / FOX
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire talks to players during football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at the Womble Football Center alongside a picture of the crowd from the USC Trojans' 2026 season-opening football game against San Jose State
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire has had plenty on his plate during the college football offseason, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have enough time to troll some of the nation’s other top programs.
McGuire, who has had to deal with the Brendan Sorsby saga as well as the late addition of former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, recently took an unprompted shot at the USC Trojans over the putrid crowd turnout for their home opener against San Jose State.
The Trojans, who have high expectations in Lincoln Riley’s fifth season at the helm, won the game 42-26. But you wouldn’t know it by taking a look at the stands.
“We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance,” USC said in a statement, referring to high temperatures and a low-level opponent. “We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program. We thank our fans who showed up Saturday and look forward to seeing increased attendance the rest of the season.”
But McGuire isn’t buying the excuses.
Joey McGuire Says Texas Tech Fans Will Show Up Home Opener, Unlike USC Fans
After making the College Football Playoffs a year ago, the Red Raiders will open up their 2026 campaign on Saturday against FCS program Abilene Christian. Despite the lack of opponent strength, McGuire is expecting a packed house.
“Not to take any shots, because I have a lot of respect for USC and Lincoln Riley, but it’s really awesome to be playing in Lubbock, Texas, knowing we’re going to be playing in front of 60,000 (fans),” McGuire said Monday. “It’s going to be warm. It’s going to be every bit as warm as it was Saturday.
Anytime you have to start a statement with a caveat, whatever you say afterward tends to negate that caveat. McGuire may not have meant his comment as a shot at USC. But the fact that he even brought up the Trojans and Riley immediately made it come across as a shot at USC.
“The great thing is we got some really tough people in West Texas that love their football, and they’re going to show up, no matter what the weather’s like,” he continued. “There’s not going to be any excuse of why they’re not going to be here for us.”
Message sent. Now we just need both teams to meet up either in the College Football Playoff or in a bowl game. Let the two programs settle things on the field.