Texas Tech has been the talk of college football all offseason long, and the Red Raiders are ready to roll out with their new reputation as the villains of the sport.
LUBBOCK - There has been plenty of reasons to talk about Texas Tech this offseason, some of those were positive for the Red Raiders and others not so much.
This all came to a head, of course, with the Brendan Sorsby saga, which saw all of its Big 12 brethren turn against them.
In a situation as complex as the one involving the transfer quarterback embroiled in a scandal caused by a gambling addiction, it is understandable how tensions can boil over for all parties involved.
However, the saga came to an end and it still seems like Texas Tech is public enemy number one inside the Big 12.
For some in the conference, and around the nation, they are unhappy with how the Red Raiders "buy" their way to success using a wealth of NIL resources and a strong grasp of the transfer portal. Although Texas Tech is far from the only program using these tactics and are not the lone one able to implement them either.
Board of Regents Chairman Cody Campbell spoke on the idea that Texas Tech is somehow ruining competition within the Big 12 with their bold strategies.
"We want to find a way to get all other Big 12 schools to elevate themselves. Everybody needs to do some version of what we've done. That's the path forward for this conference. A rising tide lifts all boats," remarked Campbell to Yahoo's Ross Dellenger.
These bitter feelings have risen to the forefront throughout the offseason, as the Red Raiders sit atop the conference looking to defend its crown.
At Big 12 Media Days, Texas Tech made it known that the Red Raiders are aware of these feelings and ready to embrace the role as most-hated team in the league.
"At Texas Tech, we have a big motto that if there is pressure, if there is noise, attack it, don't run from it," said wide receiver Coy Eakin. "If there is a target on our back, we say good, that's how we want it."
Cornerback Brice Pollock echoed Eakin's sentiments. "We're leaning into it. We kind of love the villain story."
Granted, any team that enters the season as the defending champions are going to get the best of every other team looking to take its place, but all the outside noise is not doing anything to quell the hunt for the Red Raiders.
While those around the Big 12 are looking to prove themselves, head coach Joey McGuire expressed that there is unfinished business for Texas Tech, as well.
"We got a chip on our shoulder. We did not play well, it was a bad football game against Oregon. We still have that taste in our mouth, and we can't wait to line up and get that taste out of our mouth."
Based on the improvements the Red Raiders made, their chances to get another shot at the College Football Playoff look quite high. But the rest of the Big 12 coaches are not sold just yet.
The Big 12 Coaches Preseason Poll came out at the end of media days and BYU was the pick to win the title this season. This could obviously be some sort of petty move to deny Texas Tech or they truly could think the Red Raiders are in for a rude awakening.
Only time will tell, but for McGuire and company their reputation has gone from the lovable party crasher to the dark cloud looming over the sport. And maybe that is exactly how the Red Raiders want it.
