Texas Tech has gone from lovable underdog to public enemy in the span of a year, but head coach Joey McGuire said the Red Raiders are ready for the their new role.
LUBBOCK -- There was arguably no program more in the spotlight this offseason, for better or worse, than Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders made waves with another aggressive transfer portal cycle, including landing Brendan Sorsby, which led to a separate storm after his ensuing scandal involving gambling violations.
Add in some spats with former rival Texas around strength of scheduling complete with rumblings about a potential reunion sooner rather than later and there were plenty of reasons to keep talking Texas Tech.
While some of these issues were less egregious than others in the eyes of those outside of Lubbock, combining them all together in a span of around three months and the team developed quite a reputation.
Joey McGuire, who is entering his fifth year leading the Red Raiders into their resurgence, spoke on these outside opinions and how it shapes his coaching mentality.
During an interview with On3's Brett McMurphy, McGuire remarked that during a meeting with his team he told them that, "We're the most hated team in college. And I absolutely love it."
Ever since the peak of the Sorsby saga, the villain label has been thrown around when referencing the Red Raiders.
And McGuire made apparently clear that he is not only aware of that title, but fully ready to engrain it into Texas Tech's identity.
"We’re walking in the country club - Red Raiders have fun, are loud - and you have a bunch of guys turning around looking and going, 'Man, who the hell is this? And why are they in here?','' McGuire continued in his discussion with McMurphy.
Texas Tech was a chippy underdog that took the sport by storm following an unforgettable run to the Big 12 crown, perfectly represented by its Heisman-contending linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
The newest Red Raiders are now entering this year as an all-too-familiar sight and will not have near the same amount of admiration as their predecessors.
McGuire also mentioned the struggle of finding meaningful non-conference foes, noting that USC, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and NC State have all either canceled or declined to square off.
These programs could claim that they do not gain anything from scheduling these matchups, but Texas Tech can also argue it is a sign of the strides it has taken to become a feared opponent.
Whatever labels are thrown on it, Texas Tech seems primed to be right in the mix of the national conversation, with a roster that boasts talent at every position.
Love them or hate them, Texas Tech is aiming that no one forgets the time they have to line up across from the Red Raiders on the field and truly live up to the title of villains.
