Texas Tech wants to play Texas to begin the 2026 college football season. The Red Raiders are even willing to pay for the Longhorns to buy out their previously-scheduled matchup to make it happen.
It isn’t going to happen.
In no world would a college football program give up a home game, for which it has already sold tickets, to play a neutral-site matchup against a more challenging opponent. That would be bad for business!
Steve Sarkisian insulted Texas Tech.
This whole thing started at the Touchdown Club in Houston last week. Numerous SEC figureheads have complained about the College Football Playoff Committee’s lack of emphasis on strength of schedule. That was especially true after 9-3 Texas did not make the bracket last season.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian believes his team would benefit greatly from an easier schedule. He thinks another Lone Star State-based program only made the postseason at 12-1 last season (and will be back again this season) because it did not (and does not) play challenging opponents.
“There’s a team in our state that plays in another conference that has a schedule that I would argue if I played with our 2s and our 3s, we could go undefeated, and they’ll probably make the CFP this year.”
Sarkisian was talking about Texas Tech. He claims that Texas’ backups and third-string players could win enough games in the Big 12 to make the College Football Playoff.
Joey McGuire told him to put his money where his mouth is. The fifth-year head coach of the Red Raiders challenged the Longhorns to play in Lubbock in Week 1. His team is willing to pay whatever amount of money it takes to buy out its previously-scheduled opponent for Week 1, Abilene Christian.
“We’re willing to buy our contract out of ACU. I’m sure because Texas has got a lot of money, they can buy their contract out, but I do know there’s a lot of Red Raiders that could help them buy that contract out if they don’t want to, and they can come to Lubbock in Week 1 and figure out if their twos and threes can win this conference.”
If Texas does not want to play Texas Tech on the road, he understands. The Red Raiders would also be willing to play the Longhorns at a neutral site.
“If they don’t want to come to Lubbock, then we’re going to work on trying to get to AT&T Stadium. So if they want to play Week 1, we’re ready. We would love to play the University of Texas.”
Notice how he did not offer to travel to Austin… That is an interesting caveat.
Cody Campbell offered to pay Texas’ buyout.
Texas Tech is willing to pay Abilene Christian not to play their previously-scheduled matchup in Week 1. However, Texas is currently scheduled to play Texas State in Week 1 so the Longhorns would also have to buy out of their game against the Bobcats if they were to play the Red Raiders instead.
Except they won’t be the ones who have to pay!
Texas Tech megabooster and Board of Regents member Cody Campbell agreed to pay Texas’ buyout. It wouldn’t cost a dime for the Longhorns not to play the Bobcats.
“Upping the ante: Texas Tech Athletics will pay the buyout for both the ACU and Texas State games. Let’s go!!!” (He tagged Steve Sarkisian and Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte in the post.)
It would be awesome if Texas agreed to bail on Texas State to play Texas Tech in Week 1. Maybe not for the Bobcats, who are reportedly in talks to play the Wildcats of Abilene Christian if their scheduled games fall through, but for fans of college football. That would be a great game. The Longhorns and the Red Raiders are supposed to be national title contenders in 2026.
Unfortunately, that high-profile matchup is more than likely not going to be played. It would not make any sense for Texas. Texas Tech is making this a thing because it knows the chances of it happening are slim.
First and foremost, the Longhorns already sold tickets to the Week 1 home game. To cancel now would not only take a hit on the local economy with the lack of foot traffic, it would leave thousands of fans who already planned to make the trip (booked flights, hotels, etc.) high and dry. Not going to happen.
In addition, even if Sarkisian thinks his 2s and 3s could beat the Red Raiders, he would be foolish to take that risk. A win over Texas State is all-but guaranteed. That puts Texas one step closer to the Playoff. A loss to Texas Tech would not only be be embarrassing but detrimental.
Not going to happen…