Before we really get into this, let's make one thing clear: the Texas Longhorns should not have switched one of their non-conference games to a matchup with the Texas Tech Red Raiders this season.
However, they could end an incessant campaign coming out of Lubbock that is currently infecting all of college football.
After working tirelessly to try to pressure the Horns into changing their already set schedule to beef up Texas Tech's resume, head coach Joey McGuire has finally turned his attention elsewhere, reportedly "embracing the villain role" that he created for himself.
Read more: The Texas Longhorns are officially living rent-free in Joey McGuire's mind
Now, while the Longhorns are no longer the team in his crosshairs, a slate of other powerhouse programs has begun fielding McGuire's ceaseless pleas to add the Red Raiders to their schedule.
The Texas A&M Aggies, USC Trojans, NC State Wolfpack, and Mississippi State Bulldogs have all received requests to add Tech to their future schedules, with McGuire doing everything he can to add at least one team from a Power Conference to his team's resume.
What was the answer that those four teams gave Texas Tech? A resolute and resounding 'no.'
The "most hated team in college football," as McGuire put it himself, can't find a team that actually feels the need to play the Red Raiders... not even the NC State Wolfpack.
"We’re talking to everybody and anybody. So far, everybody’s told us no," McGuire told On3's Brett McMurphy.
Well, in order to save the rest of college football from the kind of campaign that the Longhorns were subjected to earlier this summer, maybe Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian could toss McGuire a bone and add Texas Tech to one of their upcoming seasons?
With Notre Dame series in question, Texas Tech could make an adequate replacement
While at the 2026 SEC Media Days, Sarkisian was asked about the future of Texas's home-and-home series currently scheduled with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Horns' head coach wasn't ready to solidify anything.
"I don’t know yet about Notre Dame,” Sarkisian said. “We’ll see, because I think the [College Football Playoff] committee has to show us what happens now and what’s the value that they’re placing on strength of schedule"
So, it's unlikely that he would be willing and ready to commit to nixing that series just to replace it with one against the Red Raiders. However, if the series against the Irish was canceled, it would undeniably open a spot for a quick trip to Lubbock in the near future, which could be the answer to McGuire's currently futile efforts.
Yet, if you really look at Sarkisian's statement, his possible scheduling "problem" wouldn't be solved by replacing a premier program with a team in a Power Conference. The Red Raiders would still be a tougher opponent than, let's say, the Sam Houston Bearkats.
Also read: Joey McGuire fires back at Sark with a Texas wish he'll end up regretting
Currently, Texas is scheduled to visit Notre Dame in 2028, hosting the Fighting Irish in 2029. If the series is cancelled and replaced with a home-and-home against Texas Tech, the Horns would likely visit Lubbock in 2028 and host the Red Raiders in 2029.
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