Skip to main content

The Texas Longhorns are off to the SEC in 2024, meaning this upcoming season will be their last in the Big 12 after nearly three decades. 

With that exit, could potentially come an end to one of their longest-running rivalry matchups against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

And should the schools be unable to come to an agreement to continue their rivalry outside of the Big 12, it would spell an end to more than 70 years of competition between the two. 

In recent months, talks have been slow at best in regards to renewing the annual matchup, mostly due to the Horns already packed non-conference schedule, which features Ohio State, Michigan, UTSA, Arizona State, UTEP and others, on top of their already rough SEC slate.

Now, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt believes he has the Horns' reasoning for not coming to terms on a series renewal - because they're 'scared'.

“(Texas AD Chris Del Conte) is still scared," Hocutt said. "Nothing has changed over the course of the year. Ball's in their court. We welcome a chance to play them."

To be fair, Hocutt did have jest in his voice when making the statement. 

That said, it is hard to believe the Longhorns could be scared of facing a team they've only lost to five times since the turn of the century, and seven times since the inception of the Big 12 27 years ago. 

You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.