Josh Pate highlights pressure weighing on Texas: ‘That air’s been a little too thin’
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
It’s only Texas’ second game of the season but the primetime matchup vs. visiting Ohio State already stands as a massive test. The Longhorns are seeking revenge after falling 14-7 in last season’s game vs. the Buckeyes.
ESPN’s Josh Pate believes this is a crucial contest for Texas to announce itself as a bonafide College Football Playoff contender. During the Bussin’ & Pate On Campus from Austin, the analyst shares an interesting analogy regarding the Longhorns.
“Texas deep down in their bones needs this game…I’ve watched Texas go up against Georgia a couple of times and get hit in the mouth,” Pate said. “Texas has been really good but when they get up to that mountaintop, that air has been a little too thin.”
Pate points out that the pressure is accumulating on head coach Steve Sarkisian to deliver Texas back to glory.
“It used to be that the public said: ‘Kirby can’t win the big 1.’ Well then Kirby won the big 1. So then they put the crosshairs on: ‘Well Ryan Day can’t win the big 1.’ Well then Ryan Day won the big 1….Steve Sarkisian is really the next in line there,” Pate said. “…It’s as close to a must-win as you can get out of conference early in the year.”
If Texas is able to pull off a victory vs. Ohio State, the Longhorns will certainly have a strong case that this could be a special season. Ohio State at Texas will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC).
