The talk of the college football world is Texas vs. Texas Tech, or at least the possibility of it. To recap, Steve Sarkisian took a not so veiled shot at the Red Raiders schedule, saying Texas’ backups and third-stringers could go undefeated against it. Following that, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said he’d be happy to face off against the Longhorns to open the season. Since then, everyone has been waiting with bated breath for Sarkisian and Texas’ response. I’m here to tell everyone you aren’t getting the answer you want.
There’s plenty of reasons Texas and Texas Tech won’t play to start the season. Everyone has been leading with the classic “Texas has nothing to gain from it” and “Texas’ schedule is already hard enough”. To me, it’s not even about the strength of schedule dynamics at play. Texas isn’t going to play Texas Tech in Week One because the decision isn’t up to Texas.
The reason the prevailing sentiment online is “Texas doesn’t want/is scared to play Texas Tech” came from Joey McGuire saying he reached out to the Texas State and Abilene Christian head coaches. Aside from the fact that head coaches don’t make scheduling decisions, especially inside 100 days to kickoff, one of the coaches seemingly was not taking McGuire’s idea seriously.
Reaching out to the head coaches, especially when one thinks you’re joking, does little to make the game happen. On top of that, there’s little incentive for Texas State or ACU to cancel the games and take the buyout. Neither school has many opportunities for national eyes to be on them. This is a chance for both to make a strong impression. Not to mention, playing either Texas or Texas Tech close would mean more than beating each other. Even if Texas wanted to play the game, I’d be shocked if Texas State took the offer.
Speaking of playing in front of national eyes, the biggest hurdle to making this happen is the TV deals. Texas Tech-Abilene Christian is being broadcast on FS1, while Texas-Texas State is slated to be on ESPN. Considering the attention around the game, I can’t imagine either party being willing to give up or share the rights. Media deals take quite a bit of time to iron out, especially with how valuable this game could be.
In summary, Texas and Texas Tech are not going to play in Week One. Texas Tech and Texas could both want to. The path toward the game becoming a reality would still be very complicated. Despite that, the game could still very well be on the horizon. Chris Del Conte, the Texas athletic director, didn’t seem married to the Notre Dame home-and-home coming up in 2028 and 2029. That could be a place Texas Tech takes the Fighting Irish place, which they are seemingly willing to do.
I want to be very clear: I want to see Texas and Texas Tech play again. It would be incredibly interesting and fun if it could happen in 97 days. It just can’t, and it’s not about Texas not being willing or scared. It requires too many parties saying yes and multiple negotiations that rarely are brief to happen. However, if both teams handle their business, there’s a world where we see these two do battle in the CFP. I can’t imagine there is anyone (outside of Norman and College Station) that would object to that at this point.
I’m not sure whether or not Steve Sarkisian and Texas would like to play the game. I’m also not sure how much it’d matter if they did want to. The good news is scheduling for upcoming seasons is far from set in stone and given where both programs are, they could be playing with more on the table than starting 1-0. I hope to see the Longhorns and Red Raiders face off again, it just won’t happen on September 5th.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas isn’t playing Texas Tech in Week One, even if they wanted to
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
