Steve Sarkisian says Texas has a ‘different’ feel heading into 2026 season
By Mark Kern
Published:
Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns will be looking to get back to the promised land in 2026. After making it to the College Football Playoff semifinals the previous two years, the Longhorns missed the CFP last year despite starting as the No. 1 team in the preseason.
Texas hit a rough patch where the Longhorns lost at Florida, but also struggled to beat teams like Kentucky and Mississippi State. While the team wasn’t able to live up to the expectations last season, Sarkisian told reporters on Monday that the team is different heading into next year.
“I would say probably for the first time I feel like we have the top-level talent across the board position by position on both sides of the ball,” Sarkisian said. “But, yet, we also have the depth behind it across the board.”
One area where the Longhorns weren’t quite as good last season was on the offensive line. In 2024, Texas had arguably the best offensive line in all of college football. Last season, the Longhorns really struggled to run the ball, and that forced Arch Manning to have to do a lot, especially early in the season.
However, Sarkisian is confident that the team not only has the talent in the starting lineup, but that it also has the depth to overcome any injuries as well as having the ability to wear out his opponents.
The Longhorns will open the season against Texas State next season, but will host Ohio State in a rematch of the Week 1 game from this year.
