Sports

Texas Tech Challenges Texas to Week 1 Matchup After Schedule Criticism

By Steven Lassan Athlon Sports

Updated May 28, 2026 9:31 PM

Could a recent war of words between Texas and Texas Tech lead to a scheduling change in college football for the 2026 season?

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian fired the first shot in this back-and-forth during a booster event last week. The Longhorns' head coach was asked about the College Football Playoff and strength of schedule evaluation. And as usual during college football's offseason and talking season with media events, Sarkisian provided a quote that caught plenty of attention around college football and in the state of Texas.

Seemingly referring to Texas Tech, Sarkisian commented "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 twos and our threes, we could go undefeated, and they'll probably make the CFP this year."

Texas Tech's Chairman Board of Regents (and mega booster) Cody Campbell responded to Sarkisian's comments on X with a simple offer, "Schedule us then!". "We've been talking about it for years and we are more than willing!!"

Schedule us then! We've been talking about it for years and we are more than willing!! @CoachSark @_delconte
— Cody Campbell (@CodyC64) May 21, 2026

A week later, the Red Raiders upped the ante to their in-state rival. At the Big 12's spring meetings, coach Joey McGuire told reporters "We would love to play Texas."

Joey McGuire on Steve Sarkisian's comments alluding to Texas Tech's schedule.

Coach McGuire has talked to Texas State & Abilene Christian & would love to buy out those games to play Texas this season in Week 1. If not Lubbock, then @ATTStadium

"We would love to play Texas."…
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 28, 2026

But McGuire's comment wasn't just a simple declaration of interest. Instead, it appears Texas Tech has mapped out a potential path to a Week 1 matchup - and offered to play this game in AT&T Stadium in Dallas if the Longhorns weren't willing to come to Lubbock.

Texas Tech is slated to play Abilene Christian in Week 1, with the Longhorns scheduled to take on Texas State.

However, to add a little spice to this back-and-forth, Campbell indicated on X he would pay the buyouts for Texas Tech's opener against Abilene Christian and Texas' first game against Texas State. That would clear the schedule for the Longhorns and Red Raiders to meet in Week 1.

Upping the ante: @TechAthletics will pay the buyout for both the ACU and Texas State games. Let's go!!! @CoachSark @_delconte https://t.co/IX637eSYmX
— Cody Campbell (@CodyC64) May 28, 2026

Could it happen this year? Or is Texas Tech aiming for a public victory over Texas and Sarkisian after his comments on the booster circuit?

Stay tuned.

Even if Texas and Texas Tech don't work out the logistics for a game this season, it's clear these two old Big 12 rivals need a future series scheduled as soon as possible.

This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 9:16 PM.

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