Joey McGuire ‘loves’ Texas Tech being the most ‘hated team’ in college football

Joey McGuire enters his fifth season leading the Texas Tech Red Raiders with a distinct and combative mindset. The program coming off a 12-2 record and a Big 12 title faces immense scrutiny nationwide. Opposing fan bases strongly dislike their aggressive roster building methods.

Joey McGuire leans directly into this negative public perception. The head coach views the widespread animosity as a distinct competitive advantage. The Texas Tech Red Raiders ready themselves for another highly debated season this fall.

Joey McGuire gives Texas Tech villain status

The Red Raiders won the conference championship over BYU last season. They subsequently reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinals before losing to Oregon in the Orange Bowl. McGuire holds a solid 35-18 record in Lubbock. His aggressive approach clearly generates both positive results and widespread resentment across sport.

Critics frequently point to the Brendan Sorsby controversy and massive NIL spending as reasons for their disdain. McGuire recently addressed this exact dynamic with his roster. He acknowledged the national hatred during an intense team meeting before the season. The players responded positively to the message.

“We’re the most hated team in college football. And I absolutely love it,” McGuire told his players via Brett McMurphy. The statement reinforces his commitment to an aggressive program identity. McGuire wants his roster to play with a distinct edge every single Saturday this year.

This villain persona differs from traditional program building in the modern conference. McGuire actively embraces the negative attention instead of deflecting it away. The Red Raiders use the external criticism to fuel their internal team culture. The strategy clearly worked during their impressive championship run last season. The entire fan base has adopted this same combative mindset.

Will Hammond takes over quarterback room

Texas Tech must replace starting quarterback Behren Morton this upcoming season. Will Hammond steps into the leading role after serving as the primary backup. Hammond completed passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns last year. The Texas Tech Red Raiders need steady play from the position. The NCAA landscape demands elite quarterback play to reach the playoff.

Hammond threw only three interceptions during his limited action. He understands the offensive scheme perfectly following his year of preparation. The Red Raiders open their 2026 campaign against Abilene Christian on September 5. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on FS1. The entire program expects another playoff push.

McGuire clearly built a formidable and highly controversial roster in Lubbock. His willingness to accept the villain role sets a unique tone for the entire program. The Red Raiders must validate their hated status with another strong campaign this year. Upcoming season will test whether this aggressive approach can sustain long term success in conference.

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