Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t one to back down from tough conversations or tougher schedules, and as the College Football Playoff race begins to take shape, his words are carrying extra weight. With the Longhorns sitting at 7–2 and staring down a brutal final stretch featuring No. 5 Georgia, Arkansas, and No. 3 Texas A&M, Sarkisian was asked whether a 9–3 SEC team deserves a legitimate shot at the Playoff. His response was measured, confident, and very much reflective of the new SEC world Texas has stepped into — one where every week feels like survival, and every game is a test of championship mettle.
Sarkisian, speaking with his usual calm but firm demeanor, emphasized that context matters far more than records alone. “You can’t just look at the number of losses,” he said. “You have to look at who those losses came against, how teams competed, and what the overall body of work says. A 9–3 SEC team, depending on the circumstances, absolutely deserves to be in the conversation. This conference is a grind — top to bottom. You play ranked teams every week, and the margin for error is tiny. That has to mean something.”
His words echo a growing sentiment across college football — that the SEC’s gauntlet-style competition has to be weighed differently from that of other leagues. The league’s expansion, which now includes powerhouses like Texas and Oklahoma, has only intensified the weekly stakes. The Longhorns, fresh off their transition into the SEC, have experienced firsthand what that grind looks like. Every Saturday feels like a heavyweight fight, and Sarkisian’s program has learned quickly that even a single mistake can shift the balance of an entire season.
When Texas entered the SEC, there were whispers that the Longhorns would struggle to adapt to the size, speed, and physicality of the league. But Sarkisian has guided the team with a steady hand, blending the explosive offensive philosophy that made him a star at Alabama with a newfound commitment to toughness and discipline. The results, while not perfect, have been promising. Sitting at 7–2 in November, Texas has shown flashes of dominance and moments of resilience, even in losses. Sarkisian’s belief that a 9–3 SEC team should be taken seriously is rooted in experience, not rhetoric.
“You’ve got to remember,” Sarkisian continued, “if you’re playing three, four, sometimes five top-ten teams in one season, and you go 9–3 while competing at a high level in all of them — that’s not mediocrity, that’s elite football. People outside this league don’t always understand that. The margin between a 12–0 team and a 9–3 team in the SEC can be a handful of plays. That’s how good these teams are.”
The Playoff committee has long been scrutinized for how it values strength of schedule versus overall record. Traditionally, two losses have been viewed as the ceiling for Playoff contention. But as the college football landscape evolves — especially with conference realignment and a soon-to-be-expanded Playoff format — the conversation is shifting. Sarkisian’s comments are part of that broader national dialogue. He’s advocating for a more nuanced view of performance — one that acknowledges that a tough, narrow loss to a top-five team might be more impressive than a blowout win over an unranked opponent.
What makes Sarkisian’s take particularly compelling is that his team is living in that reality right now. The Longhorns’ two losses came in tightly contested games, each offering lessons rather than setbacks. The offensive execution remains one of the most dynamic in the nation, with quarterback Quinn Ewers displaying poise and leadership even under relentless pressure. The defense, meanwhile, has been gritty — not always flawless, but capable of standing toe-to-toe with elite competition. Sarkisian’s players have absorbed the SEC shockwave, and they’re learning how to respond with maturity.
The upcoming stretch will define not only Texas’s season but also Sarkisian’s argument. Beating Georgia, the defending national champions and current No. 5 team in the nation, would catapult the Longhorns back into serious Playoff contention. Surviving a trip to Fayetteville against Arkansas and then hosting a rivalry clash with Texas A&M would further prove that this team can thrive in the chaos of the SEC. For Sarkisian, these games represent both opportunity and validation — a chance to show that Texas belongs among the nation’s elite, and that strength of schedule truly matters when the committee convenes.
“We embrace it,” Sarkisian said. “This is why our guys came to Texas — to play in the biggest games, against the best teams, with everything on the line. That’s the beauty of this league. You can’t hide. You’ve got to bring it every Saturday. If we take care of our business, the rest will take care of itself.”
It’s a philosophy that has permeated the Longhorn locker room. Veteran leaders like Ewers, wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and linebacker Jaylan Ford have echoed Sarkisian’s message about accountability and consistency. For them, the SEC grind isn’t an excuse — it’s a proving ground. The team’s mantra has become about finishing strong, controlling what they can, and letting the resume speak for itself.
