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Texas Tech hosts the Texas Longhorns on September 24th to kick off their Big 12 Conference schedule. Red Raiders They have a long-standing rivalry with the Longhorns dating back to 1928 and have played every year since 1960, but this ‘Lone Star State’ tradition may come to an abrupt end.
When Texas accepted the SEC’s invitation to join their conference, their entire Big 12 tournament schedule went out the window. The Longhorns will play eight or nine conference games in the SEC after becoming official members in 2025, leaving very little room for non-conference opponents.
That’s why Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said the Longhorns may be waiting on a commitment for now to confirm the rivalry will continue with UT officials.
“I talked to my counterpart (Chris Del Conte) at the University of Texas,” Hocutt told reporters at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. All the right things have been said to me over the past two weeks, and I have heard different things from individuals representing the university in Dallas, Fort Worth and Midland. A schedule combination will not occur at Texas and Texas Tech.
It would be a shocking and damaging event for both the Red Raiders and the state of Texas. The long-standing rivalry between the nation’s two largest public institutions provides economic opportunity and environmental excitement every year. In fact, it’s been Tech’s top-selling game in 29 of the 30 seasons the Longhorns have come to Lubbock.
While Hocht said he and Del Conte discussed a series of 20 to 25 schools in various sports, but centered around football, the Longhorns’ AD had a different take on their discussions.
“I wouldn’t say Texas schools are more than just the idea of playing each other,” Del Conte said. “To me, it’s all premature. The issues were really just playing Texas schools, that’s the way I looked at it, and Texas Tech is part of that. I mean, I get it.”
During his time as TCU’s AD, Del Conte pushed for big schools like Texas and Texas A&M to play other state schools, calling them “very good for the state of Texas.” Will the same pride of government continue when he wears burnt orange and controls big money?
Tech seems determined to make sure the rivalry is sustainable, and despite UT’s best efforts, the Red Raiders may just get their wish. Hocutt said he and his staff had two positive meetings with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to plead their case.
“We had a couple of opportunities to share with him the importance of the tournament,” Hocutt said. “[Abbott] He has given full assurance that he has given us support to continue for 20 to 25 years. He promised to be our champion and he has given assurances that he will be.
It will be interesting to see exactly what this in-state rivalry will turn out to be and what role the governor can play in the process. For now, the Red Raiders will get at least two more cracks at the Longhorns and can try and make it count.
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