"Focus on what we need to do" - Texas HC Steve Sarkisian drops game plan to face opponents during their first year in SEC

Steve Sarkisian's Texas will be facing some pressure heading into the 2024 college football season, owing to their move to the Southern Eastern Conference.

Sarkisian had a bit of a disappointing first two seasons at Texas, before he changed the momentum in 2023. The 50-year-old led the Longhorns to an impressive 12-2 record and also bagged the Big 12 championship title with a 49-21 win against Oklahoma State.

The Texas team also had a remarkable win against Nick Saban's Alabama in week 2, which was their first double-digit loss at home in 17 years.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN's Greg McElroy, Sarkisian opened up about the team's strategy in their first year in the SEC:

"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... 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, [then we have] to make sure that we were [not] getting distracted by our opponent, maybe an Alabama. And focus on what we need to do."

He continued by emphasizing some points:

“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.”

Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning's growth at Texas

Steve Sarkisian has been successful in developing one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the country, with talent powerhouses like Trey Owens, Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers.

However, many individuals advise Manning to jump ships and enter the transfer portal for better playing opportunities. Texas will be playing Quinn Ewers as their starting quarterback in the upcoming 2024 college football season.

Addressing this, Sarkisian gave his two cents on Manning's growth in Texas and what the future holds for him:

"Good for Arch. He's sticking it out with Texas in year two. And I'm like, 'Hey, that's part of the process. Like, we're developing him to play, be a great football player and a great leader, and he's going to be worked like that, but that's where we're at."

Arch Manning has a bright future. But he is yet to fully get tested. That opportunity would certainly come at some stage.