Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark commented further about the University of Texas’ upcoming move to the SEC as he joined Texas Tech for its annual Red Raider Club luncheon in Lubbock on Wednesday.
Yormark was a featured speaker at the event, where he thanked administrators for their role in his appointment to the commissioner position, spoke about his friendship with head football coach Joey McGuire, and remarked on the state of the Big 12 Conference. As he closed his remarks, he acknowledged the departures of Texas and Oklahoma with a comment to McGuire.
“We [were] able to get Texas and Oklahoma out of here early,” he said. “That was a big deal for us, and I thank all of you. Coach, I’m not going to put any pressure on you, but I’m going to be in Austin for Thanksgiving, OK? And you better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year.”
Texas Tech knocked off Texas in overtime during the first game of conference play last season as the Longhorns adjusted to playing without an injured Quinn Ewers at quarterback. The Red Raiders and the Longhorns will meet in the season-final this year, which will be the Longhorns’ final regular season game as members of the Big 12.
Texas Tech trails in the series 52-16, and last year’s victory snapped a four-game losing streak.
Yormark also took the time to speak about the recent additions to the conference. As part of the latest wave of conference expansions and realignment, the Big 12 added Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah.
“When you think about jumping ahead of the PAC-12, for me during those negotiations, it was never about chasing the SEC or chasing the Big Ten,” Yormark explained. “In life, I think it’s more about being the best version of yourself. It’s all about living up to the potential of who you are, and we did that.”
“We know there’s a gap between us and the Big Ten and the SEC, but our strategy was ‘two bites of the apple,'” he continued. “Let’s gain stability and certainty for this conference and then go back into the market in [20]31 before the SEC and before the ACC and narrow the gap. That’s what our intention is.”
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Extra Points
— Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork has spoken in support of head football coach Jimbo Fisher after failing to meet expectations last season.
— TCU transfer Sam Jackson V has been named the starting quarterback for Cal for its season opener against North Texas.
— The ACC continues to discuss the potential additions of Cal, Stanford, and SMU.
— LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith has been suspended for the team’s opener against No.8 Florida State.
— Former Tennessee head coach Philip Fulmer is recovering from an unspecified surgery.
— Michigan has decided to split its head coaching duties among four assistants as Jim Harbaugh serves a three-game suspension.
— Nebraska is still awaiting an eligibility ruling for Georgia transfer Arik Gilbert. The Cornhuskers kick off their season against Minnesota on August 31.
