"Nothing gimmicky about Texas": CFB insider hails "program builder" Steve Sarkisian after Texas' huge win over Texas A&M

The Texas Longhorns are heading to the SEC Championship game after taking care of their in-state rivals Texas A&M Aggies 17-7 in Week 14. They'll take on the Georgia Bulldogs for a chance to grab a bye in the 2024 College Football Playoff, though both teams are likely to be in the bracket regardless of Saturday's result.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has brought the Longhorns back from being just a big brand to a team on the short list of title contenders. It took Sarkisian a few years to get this program back to where it was, and the Longhorns achieved that goal last season by making the College Football Playoff.

When Texas lost to Georgia earlier in the year, its status as one of the best teams in college football came into question. However, On3's J.D. PicKell says he believes this Texas team can win it all.

"Give Steve Sarkisian a lot of credit for how he has built this roster. Lost some pieces on defense; lose your whole wide receiver core. How does Texas pick up the pieces? And we've always talked about Steve Sarkisian as a playcaller, I think we need to put some different kind of respect on his name as a builder of a program."

"(There's) nothing gimmicky about Texas," PicKell said. "That's going to translate. That is going to be a thing that is consistent, I believe, going forward."

How Longhorns built on last year's CFP berth

Texas lost key pieces in the 2024 NFL Draft, which may have dampened expectations for the program to repeat its success from last year. Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell were key receivers who left, taking a lot of production and explosive plays with them. Jonathan Brooks was also taken in the draft, leaving a hole in the team's identity as the heartbeat of its offense.

Sarkisian had to essentially rebuild his defensive core from scratch after losing both starting interior defensive linemen Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat, as well as linebacker Jaylon Ford and defensive back Ryan Watts.

The team has shifted its approach to make it work: becoming less star-dependent and more balanced in the passing attack. Isaiah Bond, Gunnar Helm, Matthew Goldden, and DeAndre Moore Jr. have all become critical components in the passing game without a single one producing more than 600 receiving yards on the season.

Texas' showdown against Georgia for the SEC crown will kick off Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.