Texas Tech HC Joey McGuire fuels ongoing feud with Texas

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Texas Tech HC Joey McGuire fuels ongoing feud with Texas with latest CFP wish

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 3, 2026 4:49 PM ET

Texas Tech Red Raiders football head coach Joey McGuire won't stop talking about the Texas Longhorns this offseason.

After recently responding to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian's not-so-subtle shot at Texas Tech's easier schedule, McGuire has called out the Longhorns once again.

Joey McGuire fuels ongoing feud with Texas

McGuire claimed Texas Tech would buy out its Week 1 matchup against the Abilene Christian Wildcats to instead face Texas, which hosts the Texas State Bobcats. That wish hasn't been fulfilled, but he hopes to see them in the College Football Playoff this season.

"We're working our tail to get back to the playoffs again," McGuire said in a conversation with 247 Sports' Josh Pate, published on Wednesday. "I hope that round one is against the University of Texas."

"We're working our tail off to get back to the playoffs again. I hope that round one is against the University Of Texas"

Spoke with Joey McGuire about his response to Sark's recent comments pic.twitter.com/DUulCN3QSN
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) June 3, 2026

Hold your horses, McGuire. You don't even know if your quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, will be eligible.

Last week, the NCAA denied Sorsby's request for reinstatement after an investigation revealed he bet on sports (including football) while playing for the Indiana Hoosiers and Cincinnati Bearcats. The QB says he never placed wagers on games he played in.

Sorsby is seeking a temporary injunction from the NCAA to play in 2026. A court case began Monday, but no ruling has been issued.

McGuire feels confident his team can reach the CFP without Sorsby. Backup QB Will Hammond looked solid last season, tossing seven touchdown passes and three interceptions in eight games. Despite the loss of star linebacker David Bailey (now with the New York Jets), the Red Raiders defense should remain productive after ranking second in the country in points allowed (12.2 points per game).

Texas, meanwhile, went 10-3 and missed the CFP last season but reloaded in the transfer portal. The Longhorns landed wide receiver Cam Coleman, who had 708 receiving yards in 12 games for the Auburn Tigers last season.

Coleman should make life much easier for Texas QB Arch Manning, who finished strong after a slow start last season. In 2025, the passer ranked 17th in the nation in QBR (78) and tied for 17th in touchdown passes (26).

A Texas-Texas Tech game would be the best way to settle the squabble between the two schools. Don't bank on it happening in the regular season. The chances of a postseason matchup also remain slim, but let McGuire dream on.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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