Two days after USC opened its football season in front of a visibly sparse Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire used the atmosphere waiting for his own team in Lubbock to make a pointed comparison. McGuire said he meant no disrespect to USC or Lincoln Riley, but the contrast was hard to miss.
Texas Tech Coach Compares Packed Lubbock Crowds to USC’s Opener
“Not to take any shots, because I have a lot of respect for USC and Lincoln Riley, but it’s really awesome to be playing in Lubbock, Texas, knowing we’re going to be playing in front of 60,000,” McGuire said.
McGuire later made his message even clearer: “It’s going to be warm. It’s going to be every bit as warm as it was Saturday… There’s not going to be any excuse of why they’re not going to be here for us.”
NEW: Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire calls out USC’s home-opener crowd:
“Not to take any shots, because I have a lot of respect for USC and Lincoln Riley, but it’s really awesome to be playing in Lubbock, Texas, knowing we’re going to be playing in front of 60,000. It’s going to be… pic.twitter.com/rSXCX9inct
— On3 (@On3) August 31, 2026
That certainly feels like a shot at USC after their disappointing home opener. The Trojans announced an attendance of 51,144 for Saturday’s 42-26 win over San Jose State at the Coliseum, which holds 77,500. This was described as “a generous estimate” by ESPN. The official box score listed a 94-degree temperature at kickoff, and the Los Angeles Times noted that the heat index climbed to roughly 110 degrees.
The school released a statement admitting that they are hoping for better attendance throughout the remainder of the season.
“We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance,” the school said in a statement on Monday. “We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program. We thank our fans who showed up Saturday and look forward to seeing increased attendance the rest of the season.”
The weather provides legitimate context for the empty sections that became a talking point online. McGuire’s broader point, though, was about what Texas Tech expects from its own home environment.
The Red Raiders announced on Aug. 21 that their Sept. 5 opener against Abilene Christian had already sold out. It was the program’s second advanced sellout of the season, following the Sept. 26 matchup with Sam Houston. Texas Tech averaged a school-record 60,143 fans last season, with six of seven home games drawing a sellout attendance of 60,229. Every home date reached advanced sellout status.
The on-field product has helped. McGuire guided the Red Raiders to a 12-2 record, their first Big 12 championship and a No. 7 final AP ranking in 2025. Last season, Texas Tech posted a 95.8 Defense Impact Score, which ranked No. 2 nationally.
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Texas Tech enters 2026 ranked No. 12 in the AP poll and opens Saturday night against Abilene Christian. The school is also planning a Big 12 championship celebration around the opener.
USC, meanwhile, is already 1-0 after beating San Jose State behind 505 total yards of offense. The Trojans have a quick chance to change the visual narrative when they host Fresno State on Friday night, followed by Louisiana and then marquee home games against Oregon, Washington and Ohio State later in the year.
McGuire insisted he was not taking a shot. Mentioning USC by name while contrasting its crowd with 60,000 waiting in Lubbock still made the message land like one.
