Texas, oil and football: How Texas Tech has raised a football monster in no time at all

Texas Tech University has unveiled a $242 million, 300,000-square-foot football facility, funded largely by donations from wealthy alumni tied to the oil industry. The opening marks a significant moment for the Red Raiders, who are currently ranked eighth in college football and set to face No. 7 BYU in a crucial Big 12 matchup. This success is credited to the university's aggressive recruiting and funding strategies, backed by oil wealth from the Permian Basin, the largest oil field in the U.S.

Under head coach Joey McGuire, Texas Tech has transformed its football program, now ranking in the top 10 for both total offense and defense. The team has capitalized on the final uncapped market for college player compensation, raising $49 million to bolster its roster through booster-funded deals.

Significant contributions have come from alumni involved in the oil industry, including boosters Cody Campbell, Gary Petersen, and John Sellers. Campbell, a former player, has been instrumental in securing funding and advocating