Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire is pushing for more in-state nonconference games and SMU has a clear opening to make one happen.
FRISCO - At Big 12 Media Days in Frisco this week, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire renewed his push for more in-state nonconference games. He wants Texas, Texas A&M and SMU on future Red Raiders schedules and he made his case clearly.
"If you're a Texan and you're a fan of football in this state, then why would you go outside the state to play nonconference games?" McGuire said. "Because you have such good football in this state. I would love to play Texas, Texas A&M and SMU because I think it's great for the state of Texas. That might be one reason we have so many kids leaving the state, because we're not playing each other anymore."
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The backstory matters. The conversation started in May when Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian took an indirect shot at Texas Tech's schedule strength, suggesting he could go undefeated with his backups against unnamed Big 12 competition. McGuire responded immediately. He proposed Texas State and Abilene Christian, the respective Week 1 opponents for Texas and Texas Tech, play each other instead, opening the door for a Longhorns, Red Raiders matchup this season.
Sarkisian declined. The exchange generated headlines for weeks but produced no game. McGuire used Big 12 Media Days to show the idea has not gone away, expanding his public wish list to include SMU.
The series between SMU and Texas Tech has been dormant since 2013. The Mustangs are 15-31 all-time against the Red Raiders and their last win in the series came in a 13 to 7 victory at Lubbock in 1986.
Both programs have changed dramatically since then; Texas Tech won the Big 12 last season and reached the College Football Playoff. SMU reached the CFP in its first season in the ACC. A meeting between the programs in 2026 would carry real significance.
SMU have not been affraid of adding big nonconference games to their calendar. In 2026, the Mustangs will travel to Notre Dame in week 12. In 2027, they have a neutral site game against Oklahoma at ATT Stadium but no second nonconference game on the schedule. Future seasons already include series against LSU, Colorado and BYU.
The 2027 opening stands out, replacing a buy game with a home and home against Texas Tech would give both programs a meaningful in-state matchup. It also creates another marquee recruiting weekend in Texas and gives fans one of the state's best nonconference games. McGuire has made his interest public, the next move belongs to SMU.
