The reigning Big 12 football champion, Texas Tech, suddenly finds itself with a pair of holes to fill on its 2027 schedule. The school announced Friday that two non-conference games have been canceled, creating an unexpected late-game scramble for the Red Raiders' athletic department.

The primary shift came from North Carolina State, which invoked a buyout clause in its home-and-home series with Texas Tech. The Wolfpack cited upcoming changes to the Atlantic Coast Conference's (ACC) scheduling model as the reason for backing out of their scheduled 2027 trip to Lubbock. This move left Texas Tech without a marquee home game for that season.

In a domino effect, Texas Tech then canceled its own planned 2027 road game at North Texas. Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt stated the program is now actively seeking new opponents, aiming to secure one from a power conference and another from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

This scheduling shake-up is a direct result of the ACC's new mandate. Starting this year, the conference is moving to a nine-game league schedule while requiring its members to play at least ten total games against other power-conference opponents. For NC State, a scheduled 2027 home game against Big 12 foe Kansas State already fulfills that requirement, making the Texas Tech trip expendable.

Texas Tech wasn't the only Big 12 team affected by the ACC's changes. TCU also had an opening on the second weekend of the 2027 season after Stanford canceled. North Texas quickly filled that slot, agreeing to play the Horned Frogs instead.

For Red Raider fans, this news means the 2027 schedule is now a work in progress. The search is on for new opponents who can bring exciting matchups to Jones AT&T Stadium and test the team as it builds upon its championship pedigree.