"It's okay to be the villain": Steve Sarkisian embraces Texas' new identity as Quinn Ewers & Co. Prepare themselves for Texas A&M face-off

To use the popular phrase: Texas is back. After underperforming in Steve Sarkisian's first two seasons as head coach, the Longhorns have ascended to the upper echelon of college football and have a team as big as their brand.

The first year in the SEC is everything a Longhorns fan could hope for. They're a win against No. 20 Texas A&M away from facing the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game. They'll have to head into College Station to get that win, which is no easy task.

Sarkisian knows what's at stake for the Longhorns and doesn't mind having to smear themselves a little to accomplish their goals.

"It's okay to be the villain," Sarkisian said on ESPN College Game Day. "And we're the villain in this movie this week."

How The Longhorns Got Here and How They Can Punch Their Ticket to Atlanta

If the Longhorns beat the Aggies, they would have the opportunity to get revenge on Georgia after falling to the Bulldogs 30-15 at home.

Texas A&M needs to beat Texas to have a chance at the 2024 College Football Playoff. They'd then face Georgia in Atlanta for the SEC title. A win there would propel them to a potential automatic bid, while a loss would probably eliminate them from the CFP conversation.

If Texas does face Georgia, a win over the Bulldogs would level the season series at 1-1 and likely push the Longhorns into one of the bye spots in the playoff. Georgia would get its third loss in that scenario, which opens the door for Ole Miss and Alabama. Both teams beat the Bulldogs in the regular season. A second Georgia win over Texas likely sends the Bulldogs and Longhorns into the playoff.