Steve Sarkisian Put on Notice Amid Texas' National Championship Hype

The Texas Longhorns entering the 2026 season are brimming with expectations, as they sit at No. 5 in the AP Top 25 preseason rankings. Quarterback Arch Manning, a Heisman Trophy contender and projected top-five NFL draft pick, propels the team's prospects. However, the Longhorns experienced a similar predicament during the preseason of last year, when they faltered against Ohio State and struggled to regain ground in a competitive SEC conference.

The arrival of five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman, a versatile player who can create plays and score, is expected to bolster Texas' chances. Nevertheless, if the team fails to make a run at the national championship following the SEC Championship Game, Yahoo Sports' Steve Godfrey anticipates mounting pressure on head coach Steve Sarkisian.

"Texas is going to tell you they're as good as Ohio State, as an overall machine," Godfrey remarked. "So, why did you need to be told that you had to have premier wide receiver talent for your quarterback?" Godfrey added that if the Longhorns do not perform at peak level, specifically reaching the final four, securing double-digit wins, or participating in a late-January playoff game, a serious evaluation of Sarkisian's future as head coach may ensue.

Sarkisian, 52, has led the Longhorns to a 48-20 record over five seasons, with notable improvements in the last three years. However, the team did not secure a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff last year, despite Manning's stellar performance as the starter. With an abundance of talent, including the potential for five or more first-round draft picks in the upcoming season, Texas cannot afford to fall short of reaching the semifinals, as such a failure could cast doubt on Sarkisian's job security in Austin.