Cody Campbell challenges Texas to schedule Texas Tech for 2026 season

Cody Campbell, a wealthy Texas Tech alumnus and booster, has taken to social media and the Pat McAfee Show to demand that the Longhorns schedule the Red Raiders for the 2026 season, after Texas coach Steve Sarkisian hinted that Texas Tech’s schedule would be easy for Texas’s backups [1]. Campbell’s pointed remarks about “steers” versus “bulls” in Austin have intensified an already fraught in‑state rivalry.

Key takeaways

• Campbell posted “Schedule us then!” on X, tagging Sarkisian and Texas AD Chris Del Conte [4].
• Sarkisian’s comments suggested Texas could go undefeated with its backups against Texas Tech’s schedule [4].
• Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said his program is willing to buy out Week 1 opponents to make the game happen, even proposing a neutral site at AT&T Stadium [2].
• The last meeting in 2023 ended in a 57‑7 Texas victory, fueling Tech fans’ desire for a rematch [2][3].
• Both schools are considered CFP hopefuls for 2026, with Tech aiming for back‑to‑back appearances and Texas seeking a return after missing the 2025 playoffs [1].

Booster’s public call‑out and Sarkisian’s remarks

Campbell’s demand began with a tweet that read, “Schedule us then! We’ve been talking about it for years and we are more than willing!!” and directly mentioned Sarkisian and Del Conte [4]. He later amplified the message on the Pat McAfee Show, quipping that Texas’s mascot Bevo is a “steer” and implying that Austin lacks “bulls,” a jab at the Longhorns’ perceived lack of grit [2][3]. Campbell framed his comments as a response to Sarkisian’s statement at the Touchdown Club of Houston, where the Texas coach suggested that if his second‑ and third‑string players faced Texas Tech, they could go undefeated and likely reach the College Football Playoff [4].

Texas Tech’s willingness to make the matchup happen

Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire publicly backed Campbell’s call, saying Texas Tech would buy out its Week 1 opponent, Abilene Christian, and Texas’s Week 1 opponent, Texas State, to create an opening for a game in either Lubbard or a neutral venue such as AT&T Stadium [2][3]. McGuire emphasized that the Red Raiders are ready to “spot the ball” and “go” wherever the Longhorns choose, underscoring the booster’s claim that the program has “very little to lose and a lot to gain” by facing Texas [3]. Despite these overtures, scheduling logistics remain uncertain, and the two teams have not met since Texas left the Big 12 for the SEC after the 2023 season [2][4].

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the broader stakes of in‑state rivalries and the impact of non‑conference scheduling on College Football Playoff prospects. Both programs view a 2026 showdown as a potential boost to their CFP résumés—Tech as a Big 12 champion looking to repeat, and Texas as a program aiming to rebound after missing the 2025 playoffs [1]. Campbell’s outspoken approach, combined with McGuire’s willingness to finance a schedule change, puts pressure on Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte to address the longstanding promise to play the Red Raiders. The next steps will likely involve negotiations behind the scenes, with the public sparring serving as a catalyst for any eventual agreement.