McMurphy: Potential USC-Texas Tech series for 2027, 2028 is 'dead'

The potential USC vs. Texas Tech series for the 2027 and 2028 seasons is not happening. Per On3’s Brett McMurphy, USC has withdrawn from the series that would have had the Trojans facing Texas Tech in Houston in 2027 and in Las Vegas in 2028.

McMurphy said that talks were ongoing for six months but ended this week. “It’s dead,” a source told McMurphy. Had USC and Texas Tech agreed to play in the series, it would have been the first time since 1995 they would have met on the football field.

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USC and Texas Tech have only played each other three times. The first time was in 1978, the second was in 1979, and the final time was in 1995. The Trojans have won all three matchups, with the third meeting being at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Trojans earned a 55-14 victory to finish the season with an 8-3-1 record.

More on USC and Texas Tech

While college football fans would have loved to see USC and Texas Tech battle in 2027 and 2028, the teams are focused on doing big things in 2026. USC is coming off a 9-4 2025 season, and head coach Lincoln Riley believes his team has what it takes to make a run at the national title.

“Taking this over, you knew you had to go fight like hell just to try to get this window opened,” Riley told On3’s Wilson Alexander earlier this year. “And we’re at a point right now where there’s a lot to be excited about and a lot in front of us. It’s been a lot of work for a lot of people, a lot of commitment from a lot of people to get there, and it should be a lot of fun these next few years.”

Texas Tech comes into the 2026 season as the defending Big 12 champions. In 2025, the Red Raiders went 12-2 and lost to Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. In the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, Texas Tech is ranked No. 12 and the top team in the conference.