NFL
By: Brock Vierra
I want to preface this by saying I think Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns is one of the best if not the best offensive mind in college football. His time at Alabama was nothing short of special, helping Devonta Smith win a Heisman, laying down the framework for Bryce Young to win his Heisman while helping Alabama win the National Championship, and solidifying his place as an elite offensive coordinator in case there were any lingering doubts from his USC days. However, we are entering 2023 and his time in Austin has done nothing to justify Texas firing Tom Herman for him.
We could go into the past and criticize his lack of results with incredible talent at his side but that’s a drum that’s been beaten too many times. It’s time to talk about the present. There’s no reason Texas doesn’t win 10 games and the Big 12 title. Outside of a loss at Alabama, every game Texas has is winnable. Non-conference opponents Rice and Wyoming shouldn’t trouble the Longhorns too much while a trip to Waco, Texas in week four could spell a trap game for Texas at Baylor.
However, they should have easy or somewhat easy wins in their next four contests. Yes, they play Oklahoma but based on last year, they shouldn’t be a match offensively and their defense was grossly exposed by an inferior offense in Texas Tech. They play Kansas at home and conference newcomers, at Houston, and at home against BYU. Yes BYU and Houston have spread heavy/ air raid offenses but they don’t have the players yet to worry Texas. At this point, the Longhorns should have one or two losses at the most. They finish off the year at home against Kansas State, a team Texas beat in 2023 while K-State lost Deuce Vaughn to the draft so I don’t want to hear that they’re defending conference champs as an excuse.
Is Steve Sarkisian The Man For The Texas Longhorns
They go to national runner-up in TCU but a team that lost Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, and KeAndre Miller won’t be as good as they were in 2022. They go to Iowa State, a team that took a massive step backward last year while losing first-round defensive end Will McDonald. They wrap up at home against Texas Tech and considering Tech hasn’t won in Austin since 2017, they should be able to outscore the emerging Red Raiders.
I bet you can’t tell me another guaranteed loss outside of Alabama. With an error margin of two losses, a 10-win season should be almost a guarantee and it would be if Mack Brown was at the helm but he ain’t. This isn’t 2009 and Steve Sarkisian has failed to impress so far. Not being able to capitalize on the greatness that was Bijan Robinson, Sark risks losing two other generational talents in Xavier Worthy and Quinn Ewers.
On his offense, the side of the ball he excels in, at his disposal is one of the greatest High School QBs of all time and who also looks like a surefire All-American in Quinn Ewers. The Ohio State transfer is assisted by Worthy who appears to be the best wide receiver in college football outside of Marvin Harrison Jr and the sure-handed veteran, Jordan Whittington. He has four returning starters on his offensive line.
The Texas Longhorns defense is filled with 300+ pound, beefy defensive linemen. Bringing back Pete Kwiatkowski as DC was a move I didn’t like but Kwiatkowski will be able to quiet my doubts with six returning starters.
The Texas Longhorns are a preseason number-one selection for the Big 12 title race. They hold multiple All-Big 12 first-team players, they have the best QB in the conference (sorry Jalon Daniels), the best wide receiver, the scheme, they have everything. So there’s no reason Sark can’t get the job done. I have criticized Sark’s coaching, especially in his second-half performances in the past and those concerns remain true.
Steve Sarkisian might be the best first-half coach of all time but that matters little to a game that must be played in full to be decided. In the second half, he’s often times too scared to be aggressive in calls. His playcalling gets conservative and run-based, running off both Casey Thompson and Hudson Card to other programs. He is oftentimes shown to be overstressed and overwhelmed and there are too many second-half meltdowns to ignore. If he can’t get the job done this year, he has to go.
Texas is too big of a program to be so mediocre. This is Sark’s prove it year because if he can’t get it done in the Big 12, you can’t get it done in the SEC and unless you want to be beneath Mississippi State in both success and prestige, you need to make some tough calls. Also to all offended Bulldogs fans, I am saying you are the gatekeeper of who’s a contender in the SEC. Face it, the Natty ain’t coming to Starkville but y’all don’t suck (except the Joe Moorhead era). Take it in stride.
For the Texas Longhorns, don’t be conservative. Go for the jugular because love them or hate them, college football is better when the burnt orange is winning.
