Steve Sarkisian has continued stirring controversy this offseason with comments targeting other programs, including in-state rival Texas Tech. He also drew criticism for saying Ole Miss benefits in the transfer portal due to its easier academics, joking about “majoring in basket weaving.”
Why Steve Sarkisian Is Facing Heat over His Texas Tech Comments
In the “Adapt & Respond” podcast on Friday, host RJ Young said that despite Sarkisian talking highly of his team, the Longhorns’ actual on-field performance tells a much more inconsistent story.
“Yes, Texas beat Oklahoma, yes, Texas beat Texas A&M, yes, Texas took a one-score loss to Ohio State,” Young said. “Texas also got his a** beat by Florida, which when it finished 3 and 9… Texas almost got beat down by Kentucky, if not for the good graces of Kentucky. Texas also allowed Arkansas to stay way too close in the game they should have been in.
“Texas had his ups and downs, that’s what I’m saying. Texas ended up exactly where Texas should have ended up: in the Citrus Bowl playing against Michigan. And now once again they feel like they own something, and Sark must feel like he got something, because frankly I wouldn’t be talking out the side of my mouth like this if I ain’t got nothing.”
The Texas vs. Texas Tech drama started when Sarkisian took a shot at the Red Raiders’ schedule. Sarkisian claimed that if Texas played Texas Tech’s schedule with their second- and third-string players, the Longhorns could still go undefeated and make the College Football Playoff.
That remark sparked a sharp response from Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, who challenged the idea by proposing a direct matchup and even floated removing nonconference games against Texas State and Abilene Christian to make room for a season opener against Texas.
According to FBSchedules, the total buyout cost would be roughly $2.4 million, consisting of $1.4 million to Texas State and $1 million to Abilene Christian. However, Texas Tech benefactor Cody Campbell publicly offered to cover the cost of buyouts for both programs to help make the proposed showdown happen.
“Upping the ante: @TechAthletics will pay the buyout for both the ACU and Texas State games. Let’s go!!! @CoachSark @_delconte,” Campbell tweeted.
Meanwhile, McGuire wasn’t amused by the schedule talk and made it clear he’d rather settle the debate on the field.
“We can figure out if their twos and threes can win this conference,” McGuire said.
Texas enters 2026 off a 10-3 season and its Citrus Bowl appearance, while Texas Tech comes in after reaching its first College Football Playoff. Historically, Texas leads the series 55-18 dating back to 1928. The PFSN CFB Playoff Metric gives Texas a 66.9% chance of securing the CFP in 2026, while giving Texas Tech a 38.1% chance.
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