Texas‘ first season in the SEC features matchups against conference opponents such as Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, not to mention a non-conference matchup against the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines during Week 2
Entering an entirely new landscape with brand new opponents, some believe Texas won’t be able to enjoy the same success they had under head coach Steve Sarkisian in 2023. In a recent interview, Sarkisian explained why the Longhorns are in great shape to continue their success in their new conference.
“We have to focus on what is our standard and what is our standard of play. Not to diminish the opponents but [we need to] keep the focus on us,” Sarkisian told ESPN’s Greg McElroy. “And, you know, it’s made me think about it. I’ve used this term –be enamored with us. When certain games come onto our schedule to make sure that we were getting distracted by our opponent, maybe an Alabama. And focus on what we need to do. But that’s really who we need to be week in and week out and understand what our standard is playing to that standard, preparing to that standard, having the right mental focus, the right mental intensity for that standard and what that looks like.
“Nowadays, if we thought the Bullseye was on Texas before, it’s on us even bigger now. To go into this thing thinking we’re not going to get every team’s best shot. We’re kidding ourselves. And it doesn’t matter if it’s Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA. … We’re going to get them all.”
Under Sarkisian’s guide, Texas finished 12-2 last season, seeing the Longhorns win the Big 12 Championship in their final year in the conference and making it to the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history. However, Texas would come up short against Washington in the semifinals to end their dreams of a national championship. The Huskies would lose to Michigan in the national championship game.
Before the 2023 season, Texas had finished 13-12 over the first two seasons that Sarkisian led the program. However, now that his initial recruiting classes have matured and since Texas has become a landing spot for stars out of the transfer portal, it appears that the winning culture in Austin is here to stay with Sarkisian leading the charge.
“From that point of perspective has been — the standard is the standard and let’s go to work that way,” Sarkisian continued. “And let’s hold each other to that standard. And the results of the game will come as they’re supposed to come. We’ve got to make sure that we’re doing the work necessary, mentally, physically, emotionally to play our best football.”
Now entering the SEC coming off a historic season for the program, there’s a lot to be excited about in Austin. Fans will have to wait just a bit longer to see this year’s Longhorns squad, however, as Texas will begin its 2024 regular season during Week 1 on Aug. 31 at home against Colorado State.
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