That blowout loss to Cincinnati just dropped Texas Tech from the ranks of the undefeated, and it’s got big implications beyond just the Big 12 standings. When you’re one of only a few teams left without a loss going into the week, dropping one like that means your margin for error, especially for making the College Football Playoff, shrinks dramatically. But the loss isn’t just about the standings, there was serious bad blood with Cincinnati going back to the Brendan Sorsby saga. And man, did mega-booster Cody Campbell make it known how frustrated he was by how the Red Raiders played on Saturday.
“We Have To Be Better”
Texas Tech went into that game against Cincinnati as a heavy favorite. To lose? That stings. But for Cody Campbell, a mega-booster with a personal stake in this rivalry, it was clearly infuriating. He wasted no time taking to social media, calling out the team publicly. His words hit hard: “There is no excuse or reason to lose a game like this. We have to be better.” When your biggest power player says that, you know it’s a gut punch. This first loss of the season for the Red Raiders means their College Football Playoff hopes just took a serious hit, especially with other undefeated teams still sitting atop the Big 12.
Who Is This Guy, Cody Campbell?
So, who is Cody Campbell and why does his criticism carry so much weight? This isn’t just some random fan. Campbell played offensive line for Texas Tech from 2001 to 2004, even having a brief stint in the NFL before he moved into the oil industry. He founded Double Eagle Energy Holdings and, through his business dealings, became a billionaire. That makes him Texas Tech’s main power booster, which gives him a massive amount of say in the program’s roster decisions. His money is a huge reason why the Red Raiders are such a force in the transfer portal when it comes to NIL deals. When Campbell speaks, the program listens.
That Sorsby Saga Was Personal
Campbell’s intense frustration with Cincinnati stems directly from the Brendan Sorsby situation in the offseason. Texas Tech had landed Sorsby from the Bearcats through the transfer portal. But then a gambling scandal involving Sorsby led to him leaving the program entirely. Before all that went down, Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield publicly accused Texas Tech of illegally recruiting Sorsby before the quarterback even entered the transfer portal. The drama escalated even further when Sportico reported that Campbell reportedly texted Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark with a direct threat towards Satterfield. Campbell’s message to Yormark: “In the spirit of not publicly airing ‘family disputes,’ somebody should inform Coach Satterfield that Texas Tech has gone out of its way to not drag Cincinnati on the Sorsby deal. We have plenty of receipts, and he wants no part of it…This is not a fight he should start.” Yeah, this loss was absolutely personal for Campbell, and you can bet he’s going to be looking for a response from his team moving forward.
The Red Raiders now face an uphill battle to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive after that first loss. With their own mega-booster publicly calling them out and the CFP path getting narrower, it’s crunch time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply