There is clearly some bad blood throughout the Big 12 in regards to Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC.
Last week at Big 12 media days, we saw the Big 12 commissioner shade the two programs for not making it to the Big 12 title game the past couple years and now a program within the conference took a jab as well.
Texas Tech president Kirby Hocutt made sure to get in a shot of his own at the Texas High School Coaches Association Convention this weekend, going as far to say Texas’ athletic director Chris Del Conte is ‘scared’ to schedule the Red Raiders once Texas moves to the SEC.
Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt (in somewhat joking fashion) on Texas AD Chris Del Conte and the potential for future non-conference games between UT & Tech.
“He’s still scared. Nothing has changed over the course of the year. Ball's in their court. We welcome a chance to play them."
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) July 16, 2023
In terms of scheduling, the Longhorns don’t appear to have an opening until 2027 as they are set to play programs like Michigan, Ohio State, UTSA, and Texas State among others over the coming years. While Texas Tech may be trying to keep the rivalry alive it wouldn’t be shocking if the two don’t meet again as Texas and Texas A&M failed to continue playing and that game was much more of a rivalry.
In terms of being scared, it appears to just be a fun jab with a side of provocation that would help Texas Tech get a marquee game if it were to happen. On the field, the Longhorns rarely have issues with Texas Tech as the Red Raiders have won just five times since 2000, so not sure what there is to be scared of.
The expectation is that Texas will adopt the “cupcake” matchup late in the season like all other SEC programs do.
The two teams will meet in 2023 during the final week of the season as Texas looks to not only win their first Big 12 title since 2009, but avenge last season’s loss.