Head Coach Joey McGuire Offers Bold Proposal to Play Week 1 Game
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire is pushing a high-stakes plan to schedule Week 1 against Texas after Steve Sarkisian rang critical shots in the Lone Star state showdown. Despite the Red Raiders and Longhorns already having matchups lined up for the 2026 season, McGuire is urging both teams to pay off their remaining contracts and face off head-to-head instead.
In discussions, McGuire stated he has already approached Abilene Christian University—Texas Tech’s target for the matchup—as well as Texas State, the Longhorns’ upcoming opponent. He explained his desire for both Texas and Longhorns to exit conference contracts and compete directly for their conference crown.
While the Longhorns’ matchup had already been booked at their home, McGuire’s moves come after Steve Sarkisian criticized the schedule choices of the Big 12. He noted that the Longhorns’ recent performances could rival Texas Tech’s if they didn’t commit to playing early.
McGuire emphasized his loyalty to quarterback Brendan Sorsby, expressing pride and urging him not to be penalized for the year, especially since Sorsby had overcome a serious recovery challenge amid concerns about gambling addiction.
Sorsby, who recently entered an inpatient gambling program, has since filed lawsuits to secure a spot as the Red Raiders captain for next season. A hearing regarding this case is scheduled for Monday.
With the conference calendar tightening, Texas Tech head coach McGuire sees this as an opportunity to foster stronger competition and a more decisive outcome in their upcoming season.