A recent suggestion by Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire to open the season with a game against the Texas Longhorns has ignited a heated debate across college football circles, prompting a swift rebuke from sports analyst Paul Finebaum.
The Proposal Unfolds
McGuire outlined a plan to buy out non‑conference matchups with Texas State and Abilene Christian, clearing the way for a Week 1 showdown with the Longhorns, a move he framed as a bold step for his program.
The proposition was met with a swift rebuke from sports analyst Paul Finebaum, who labeled the idea “utterly ridiculous” given that Texas is slated to face Ohio State in Week 2, a game that many see as a litmus test for playoff contention.
Finebaum’s criticism underscores a larger narrative: the focus should be on securing a spot in the College Football Playoff rather than engineering early‑season spectacles.
Steve Sarkisian, the Texas head coach, has previously pointed out that the Longhorns’ schedule in the SEC appears markedly tougher than the Big 12 slate faced by Texas Tech, a comparison that adds weight to the coach’s caution.
The conversation also touches on history, recalling that Texas had not captured a Big 12 title since 2009 until the 2023 season, a milestone that fuels both ambition and scrutiny as the program eyes future dominance.