A Shift in Strategy
When the idea of a Notre Dame showdown with Texas Tech first surfaced, the writer saw it as a natural pairing, citing the Red Raiders’ recent surge that culminated in a College Football Playoff appearance and a Big 12 title just last season.
That optimism faded after the program’s handling of the Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal came under scrutiny. The university’s response, according to the author, has tarnished the school’s image and prompted a reevaluation of any future collaboration.
Several institutions have publicly announced they will not schedule Texas Tech in the coming years, and the Big 12 itself has taken a firm stance, reinforcing its opposition to the program’s current direction.
Given these developments, the author now urges Notre Dame to look elsewhere within the conference for matchups, while also hoping that Texas Tech will be excluded from any future Fighting Irish schedules.
The broader lesson, the writer argues, is that on‑field success alone cannot offset off‑field missteps, especially when they reverberate through conference politics and fan perception.