Texas Tech has a shot to bring College GameDay back to Lubbock next weekend, but there’s one catch: they’ve got to beat Kansas State first.
On Saturday morning’s broadcast, Kirk Herbstreit floated the possibility that GameDay could be headed to West Texas for next week’s matchup between BYU and Texas Tech. While nothing is confirmed, the message was clear: if the Red Raiders handle business today, the national spotlight could be on Lubbock in a matter of days.
The crew also teased the idea of Patrick Mahomes making an appearance as the guest picker, which makes sense with the Chiefs on a bye next weekend. Mahomes showing up in Lubbock would be a huge draw on its own, but pairing that with a Big 12 showdown and a fan base that’s always up for a big-time stage? It’d be one of the more memorable stops this season.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For any of this to happen, Joey McGuire’s group has to get past Kansas State. That hasn’t exactly been a layup in recent years. The Wildcats are physical, disciplined, and have been a thorn in Tech’s side for a long time. Still, this is an opportunity for the Red Raiders to take a solid season and turn it into something more significant.
The game itself would be meaningful. BYU has been one of the surprises in the Big 12 this year and looks the part of a team that could walk its way into the College Football Playoff. Texas Tech, on the other hand, has been one of the best teams in the Big 12 this year, and a win over Kansas State could keep the good times in Lubbock rolling.
Hosting GameDay is more than just a camera crew and a celebrity picker. It’s a signal that your program matters in the national picture. With the new-look Big 12 trying to carve out its place post-realignment, appearances like these go a long way in shaping how people view the league.
We’ll know soon enough whether or not it happens. But if Texas Tech knocks off the Wildcats today, don’t be surprised if the GameDay trucks are headed down Highway 84 early next week.
