Texas HC Steve Sarkisian thinks the Longhorns are nowhere near a finished product but ‘we are improving’
The conference slate is here and it’s time for Texas to put up or shut up.
After Saturday’s 55-0 win over Sam Houston, Texas Longhorns’ head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t hold back when discussing his team’s lackluster start to the 2025 season.
“I’ve always felt like we were not going to be a finished product after one week, two weeks, three weeks or four weeks. Like we were going to be a work in progress early in the season in particular. And we’ll be a work in progress as we grow through the SEC,” Sarkisian said. “And so the idea is that are we improving? And you can’t fix everything all at once. You got to try to identify areas where, hey, you know what we need to really work on this and get better at this.”
Everyone knows after the Ohio State loss, the schedule was cupcake soft. But, the wins are important not only for the record and potential postseason aspirations, but also for the team and the vibe inside the locker room.
The bye week comes at a perfect time for the Texas Longhorns.
Florida is coming off a whipping at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes. But, the Gators are also on a bye this week. But, you have to think this is make or break for Billy Napier when the Texas Longhorns come to town. And as far as the mental state of the Texas program, Arch Manning and Co., hit a stride Saturday and could be turning the corner.
“Like last week, the results weren’t what we wanted, the way it looked. But I know what we look like on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so I know what’s in there,” Sarkisian said. “And the idea was to get it out of them and then let them feel that and get some confidence from that. We also know it’s going to be really challenging what lies ahead.”
Five-straight conference games are on deck for Texas. And only two are at home. This is going to be the measuring stick stretch for Manning, the offense, and Sarkisian as a play caller, in my opinion. You know what you’re going to get from the defense, it’s the offense that is going to decide the fate.
Texas Longhorns News
Steve Sarkisian thinks he knows what gets Texas Longhorns’ quarterback Arch Manning to play his best
On Saturday it seems like the Longhorns quarterback unlocked something.
The main focus obviously is what is on tap with Florida.
“I’m not so consumed with what it’s going to look like in middle of December. I’m more consumed with what are we going to look like in two weeks? Because we’re going to need to play good football,” Sarkisian said. “And everybody’s going to say, hey, we’re going to play Florida, who’s 1-3, or whatever they are. That’s a really good football team who has had a tough schedule here last couple weeks and lost a tough one three weeks ago.
“And so it’s a very talented team that’s going to be a hungry team that they’re trying to get their first win in the SEC and we’re going to need to play good. And so we need to prepare to play good. And I think that’s the most important thing.”
There’s a lot of football left but this matchup with a reeling Florida team feels massive. Arch looked like himself Saturday. He was confident, had swagger, and was damn near perfect throwing the football. The defense is going to be just fine, but it’s what Manning and the offense does moving forward that I am most paying attention to.
