Texas Coach Advocates for Playoff Position
It’s that time of year again—football season in Texas is heating up. Coach Steve Sarkisian of the No. 16 Texas Longhorns is stepping up his game, and not just on the field. He’s making waves in the political arena to bolster his team’s chances of making it to the College Football Playoff.
Following a thrilling victory over the previously undefeated No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies, Sarkisian urged his players to extend their season beyond just the regular matches. In a postgame press conference, his confidence was palpable.
Sarkisian remarked, “I think we’re definitely a playoff team. We are the first team since the 2019 LSU champions to beat three top-10 ranked teams in the regular season. So, just chew on that for a moment.”
With this win, the Longhorns have brought their record to 9-3, but there’s a hitch. The playoff picture is crowded with teams sporting two or more losses, making Texas’s journey to the playoffs a rocky one.
As Sarkisian pointed out, their victories against formidable opponents like Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt are significant. However, the two losses to tough teams, namely the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs, weigh heavily on their standings.
And while that sounds compelling, the unexpected home loss to Florida State earlier in October, coupled with narrow overtime victories against teams like Kentucky State and Mississippi State, complicates the narrative for Texas.
Still, Sarkisian remains undeterred. He reflected, “We went into Ohio State in Week 1 and outgained them by nearly 200 yards. Sure, we lost in a close game, but I think it’s crucial that head coaches and athletic directors nationwide recognize what we’re trying to build here. Do we want to avoid scheduling tough opponents like Ohio State? Because a 10-2 record would put us in the playoffs without a doubt.”
He went on to emphasize the team’s strength in having faced five top-10 teams in the regular season, claiming that the experience gained is vital. “If we finish 3-2 against them and have the guts to schedule non-conference games against titans like Ohio State, I hope we’re not penalized for that,” Sarkisian said, a mix of hope and determination in his voice.
