Texas Tech coach takes shots at Notre Dame after BYU win

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Texas Tech Red Raiders football coach Joey McGuire took a swipe at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s independent status after their win over the BYU Cougars on Saturday.

McGuire gave BYU credit for moving from an independent school to the Big 12 Conference in recent years.

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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire calls a timeout during an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)

“I have so much respect for BYU. I do,” McGuire told reporters in his postgame press conference. “I was really excited every time they joined the Big 12 because I think they carry a lot of weight and a lot of respect. I think I have a lot of respect for them being in a conference and not playing an independent program like other people — you already know who that is.

“So I have a lot of respect for that. I mean, they earn their due like everybody else, but a few people in the nation earn their due through conference play and playing some really tough places.”

Notre Dame and the UConn Huskies are the only two schools that play an independent schedule. The Fighting Irish have been independent for all but one year – 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic affected the entire sports landscape.

Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on October 18, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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This year, the No. 10 Fighting Irish have played three ranked opponents and are 1-2 in those games. They have another ranked opponent on their schedule in No. 24 Pittsburgh.

No. 8 Texas Tech has only played two ranked opponents so far this season and blew them both out.

Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman was asked about McGuire’s comments. He didn’t dwell on the drama, saying he was just focused on the team’s game against the Panthers.