'Take Care of Business': Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark Hypes Up Longhorns vs. Red Raiders
As Texas enters its final season as a member of the Big 12, Steve Sarkisian has mentioned that the team's motto this year was to "embrace the hate."
Animosity will come from fans across the country. It'll come from programs that remain a part of the Big 12 in 2024. And some of the disdain will come from current Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
Speaking at the Red Raider Club kickoff luncheon in Lubbock Wednesday, Yormark mentioned to those in attendance that he would be on sight for the the Longhorns' final-regular season conference game against Texas Tech. He also relayed a message to second-year coach Joey McGuire on what he expects to happen when the clock strikes zero.
"I'm not going to put any pressure on you, but I'm going to be in Austin on Thanksgiving," Yorkmark said. "And you better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year."
It comes as little surprise that Yormark is pulling for the Red Raiders on Black Friday in Austin. Prior to replacing Bob Bowlsby as commissioner, Yormark knew Texas and Oklahoma were on borrowed time in the conference, having announced in 2021 their intent to join the SEC once their media rights contract was up in 2025.
Yormark worked out a deal back in February with two of the original members of the conference to leave for the SEC in July 2024. Since then, the Big 12 has added more programs to its arsenal, securing the invites of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah as new league members beginning next summer.
"Candidly, we were able to get Texas and Oklahoma out of here early," Yormark said Wednesday. "That was a big deal for us and I think [for] all of you."
Yormark's comments was not the first time a high-standing conference official has taken a shot at the Longhorns. During an interview at Big 12 Media Days, deputy commissioner Tim Weiser had several choice words on Texas' decision to join the SEC, stating the program would rather "get beat by Alabama than Kansas State or Florida than Iowa State."
While not at the same level as the "Red River Showdown," the "Battle for the Chancellor's Spurs" has been a staple in Texas since 1960. Last season, McGuire led the Red Raiders to a 37-34 upset win at Jones AT&T Stadium, handing Texas its second loss in three weeks.
McGuire added more fuel to the fire by saying in the locker room, "Everything runs through Lubbock!"
The second-year coach seems adamant about ensuring that statement rings true while Texas and Oklahoma remain conference members.
"There is an opportunity to put the Red Raiders at the forefront of this conference," McGuire said Wednesday, via the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, "and I don't want to wait 'til 2024 when it's a new conference. It's more important to do it in 2023 when those old two are still here so they can understand exactly who runs the Big 12."
The Longhorns, the preseason favorites to win the conference for the first time since 2009, are expected to have a breakout season thanks to their returning talent. The Red Raiders, projected to finish fourth in the Big 12, are considered by many to be a College Football Playoff dark horse.
Much like the Bedlam series, the rivalry between Texas and Texas Tech will cease following the 2023 season, but could be renewed at a later date if both schools agree to make the matchup an annual non-conference game. Since their initial matchup in 1928, the Longhorns and Red Raiders have met 72 times, with Texas dominating the series all time with a 54-18 lead.
Kickoff from Royal-Memorial Stadium is scheduled for Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
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