Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire used his team’s narrow victory over Houston to deliver a message to the national analysts who had questioned the Red Raiders.
Rather than focusing only on the dramatic finish, McGuire opened his postgame press conference by addressing college football commentators Josh Pate and Rick Neuheisel. Both had predicted problems for Texas Tech before its Big 12 opener.
McGuire names his critics
According to BroBible’s account of the press conference, McGuire sarcastically thanked Pate for picking against his team. He then turned his attention to Neuheisel, saying the former coach’s prediction had added further motivation.
“Keep picking against us. We love that stuff,” McGuire said.
Read also: Former Team USA triathlete dies after morning swim on family holiday
Texas Tech improved to 3–0, but the victory was anything but comfortable. Houston led 10–0 in the first quarter and 17–14 at half-time before the Red Raiders recovered.
The Cougars scored with 49 seconds remaining to reduce the deficit to two points. Quarterback Conner Weigman then attempted to run in the game-tying conversion, but replay showed that his knee touched the ground before the ball crossed the goal line.
The official Texas Tech report confirms that the Red Raiders won 28–26 despite being outgained 458–425. Will Hammond threw for 257 yards, while Kenny Johnson recorded 113 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The underdog claim comes under scrutiny
McGuire’s attempt to present Texas Tech as a disregarded outsider has attracted criticism because the Red Raiders are the reigning Big 12 champions and have invested heavily in their roster.
Read also: Mourinho brings evidence to furious press conference after derby defeat
The exact amount is not publicly confirmed. Legion Report estimates Texas Tech’s 2026 football roster at approximately $36.3 million, while other reports have placed the figure between $38 million and $42 million. All of those numbers should be treated as estimates rather than an official payroll.
That financial strength does not guarantee victories, as Houston demonstrated by coming within inches of forcing overtime. It does, however, make the underdog label harder to defend.
McGuire may genuinely use outside criticism as motivation, but Texas Tech is no longer an overlooked challenger. It is the defending conference champion, one of the Big 12’s biggest spenders and a team expected to compete at the top.
Read also: Evenepoel crushes rivals to claim historic fourth straight world title
Read also: Aaron Rodgers’ ‘pregnant wife’ remark sparks backlash, but context changes the story
