UH's biggest fan in advance of showdown in Lubbock? Tech coach Joey McGuire - Houston Chronicle

McGuire made the comments three weeks into the season, praising the Cougars as an emerging Big 12 contender. He pointed to a shrinking talent gap across the conference, noting that Texas pulled off a comeback win over top-ranked Ohio State and that defending national champion Indiana keeps rolling. LSU and Miami also drew mention as teams off to strong starts.

For Tech fans, the praise carries weight. McGuire has coached in Lubbock long enough to know hype when he sees it, and putting Houston in the same breath as Oregon, the team that knocked Tech out of the College Football Playoff, is not something he tosses around lightly.

Friday's game matters beyond bragging rights. A win over a ranked Houston squad would boost Tech's own Big 12 standing and give the Red Raiders another marquee result to point to as the conference keeps closing the gap with the sport's traditional powers. Folks in Lubbock heading to the game know a loss stings more against a team their own coach just called elite.

McGuire handed Houston a compliment most coaches save for playoff teams, and he did it four days before kickoff on his home turf.