Texas Tech and Colorado meet Saturday in Boulder with two of the Big 12’s most recognizable coaches standing on opposite sidelines again.

For Joey McGuire, the matchup comes with No. 12 Texas Tech at 4-0 after a 49-14 win over Sam Houston. For Deion Sanders, Colorado enters at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play after a 23-13 loss at Baylor.

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The contrast is obvious.

Texas Tech has survived some uneven stretches but remains unbeaten, while Colorado is still searching for consistency, including at quarterback.

Julian Lewis started the first four games, but Isaac Wilson replaced him at halftime against Baylor and threw for 156 yards and a touchdown.

McGuire isn’t assuming either quarterback will start.

“We’re expecting and preparing for both quarterbacks, but the offense really doesn’t change that much,” McGuire said this week. “The one thing about their OC that has consistently done is find a way to run the football.” SI

Texas Tech’s own quarterback situation has been far more stable, although Will Hammond is coming off a strange performance against Sam Houston.

Hammond threw for 224 yards and a touchdown but also tossed three interceptions in the final 5 1/2 minutes of the first half.

Texas Tech still pulled away by outscoring Sam Houston 28-0 after halftime.

There’s also history between these programs.

Colorado beat Texas Tech 41-27 in Lubbock in 2024, overcoming a 13-0 deficit behind Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.

That remains McGuire’s most recent home loss as Texas Tech’s home winning streak has since reached 11 games.

The connection between McGuire and Sanders also extends well beyond college football. McGuire spent 14 seasons as head coach at Cedar Hill High School, where his relationship with the Sanders family began years before either coach landed in the Big 12.

Sanders has publicly praised McGuire, calling him “one of the best coaches in our conference” and “a man of standard.”

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That friendship won’t matter much once the ball is kicked. Texas Tech is trying to keep an unbeaten season alive.

Colorado is trying to prevent its season from sliding in the opposite direction.

Source: Yahoo Sports