Abbott May Be Tech Champ in Name Only
if SEC Fears that UT Rivalry Spells Danger

Capitol Inside
September 26, 2022

The University of Texas may have a phantom Red Raider as an excuse for backing out of an annual football game with Texas Tech University on the gridiron despite alleged promises from Austin to keep the rivalry alive after the Longhorns defect from the Big 12 Conference and ramble off to the SEC.

The police in Lubbock were on the lookout on Monday for an ostensible Tech fan who slammed Longhorn defensive lineman Ovie Oghoufo from behind after the Red Raiders defeated Texas 37-34 in overtime on Saturday when fans converged for a victory celebration on the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

“A video clip of a fan pushing a University of Texas student-athlete was recently brought to our attention," according to a statement on Sunday from the police at the West Texas institution. "This behavior is unacceptable and Texas Tech Athletics has turned the matter over to the Texas Tech Police Department. We will work together to identify the fan and take further action."

Oghoufo - a Notre Dame transfer who was honorable mention in the voting for Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year in 2021 - didn't appear to be injured from the blindsiding. Oghoufo is an edge rusher who's listed at 6-3, 239 and was still dressed in pads when attacked. But the Texas Tech fans were belligerent throughout the game - chanting obscenities and throwing garbage at the referees at halftime.

There's talk at Forty Acres today that increasing hostility between UT and TTU has created a dangerous environment that could inspire Texas to put an end to competition in football and basketball as well after Texas becomes an official member of the Southeastern Conference in the next year or two.

Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt told the Austin American-Statesman last week that UT AD Chris Del Conte had informed him that Governor Greg Abbott "would be our champion" and keep the rivalry in the two major sports intact. But Abbott has been a major cheerleader for the Red Raiders as well.

"AWESOME. Texas Tech Athletics is on FIRE this year," Abbott tweeted after the Red Raiders claimed the national championship in track and field in the spring of 2019. "This is the year of #WreckEm."

There's speculation that powerful Republican State Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock has intervened in the deliberations behind the scene on behalf of Texas Tech in an apparent attempt to get UT Systems Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife to promise in writing that the two schools can continue to play after the Horns bolt from the Big 12.

Abbott has appeared to steer as far from the college athletic realignment to avoid being tied to the UT decision to abandon the Big 12 in a move that will do significant harm to the sports programs at other longtime rivals like Baylor and TCU. But Abbott doesn't have the power to tell the SEC what to do - and he could turn out to be a champion in name and words only if UT's new conference has a problem with Texas Tech locked into the schedule in a development that could open a can of worms among other schools that it's poached from the Big 12 like Oklahoma.

Texas and Texas A&M had one of the most storied rivalries in college football before the Aggies hightailed it to the more lucrative SEC in 2011. Texas had an opportunity - with or without A&M - to build the Big 12 into a personal playground that it could dominate like Alabama has done with the Southeastern Conference. But the UT football program has been mired in the morass of mediocrity for more than a decade - and while it's expectations in the SEC will be low at the outset - the financial bottom line is the only factor that matters any more.

UT fans may be scared of playing Tech as a consequence of a rowdy fan base. But the Horns would probably want to salvage the rivalry if the profits were sweet enough based on recent history. They may no longer have the freedom to make such a choice on the Horns new leash at the SEC.

Abbott could be the second biggest loser if the rivalry dies, however, if Red Raiders who usually vote Republican think he might have been in on the fix.

The Texas Tech Police Department - in the meantime - asks anyone with information on the probe into the post-game shoving to contact the office at 806-742-3931.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

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