As the Texas Longhorns continue their climb back toward college football relevance under head coach Steve Sarkisian, the stakes have never been higher. With a talented roster and a promising season ahead, the Longhorns are squarely in the mix for a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth. However, as the team gears up for the final stretch of the season, there are concerns that Sarkisian must address if the Longhorns are to make a legitimate run for the national title.
Despite the team’s impressive roster and significant improvements in recent years, experts, analysts, and even former players are sounding the alarm on certain areas that need immediate attention. Texas has the talent to compete with the best teams in the country, but head coach Steve Sarkisian has been issued a warning: if the Longhorns want to claim their first national championship in nearly two decades, they must fix several glaring issues that could hold them back in the pursuit of a CFP title.
1. Inconsistent Play at Quarterback
The most glaring area that has come under scrutiny in Texas’ title aspirations is the quarterback position. Quinn Ewers, who came to Texas as one of the most highly anticipated recruits in recent memory, has shown flashes of brilliance in his time as the starter. His arm strength and ability to make deep throws give the Longhorns a significant advantage on offense. However, Ewers has also shown a level of inconsistency that raises questions about whether he can lead the Longhorns to a national title.
Ewers’ play has been up and down throughout the season. While he has had moments of excellence, he has also struggled at times with decision-making, ball placement, and execution under pressure. His play has been particularly inconsistent against top-tier defenses, which are the kind of teams the Longhorns would have to defeat in the CFP.
Sarkisian, who has a reputation for developing quarterbacks—having coached some of the top passers in college football in his previous stops—must ensure that Ewers becomes more consistent in his play. Whether it’s making better decisions in the pocket, tightening his mechanics, or being more efficient in crucial situations, the Longhorns cannot afford to have a quarterback who fluctuates between brilliance and mistakes, especially in high-stakes games. Texas can only go as far as Ewers takes them, and Sarkisian must figure out how to unlock his full potential.
In addition, Sarkisian needs to improve the quarterback depth behind Ewers. While Ewers is the clear starter, the injury history of college quarterbacks often dictates that teams need a capable backup in case of injury or poor performance. If Maalik Murphy or Arch Manning can step up when needed, it would provide Texas with a safety net at the most important position on the field.
2. Offensive Line Play and Run Game Concerns
Another critical issue that Sarkisian must address is the offensive line. Historically, the Longhorns have been a team that prided itself on its ability to dominate the line of scrimmage, but this has not always been the case under Sarkisian’s tenure. While the offensive line has made strides in recent years, it remains inconsistent, particularly in their run-blocking schemes.
In the modern game, a dynamic running game is crucial for a team’s success, especially when competing for a CFP title. In Texas’ offense, Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson carried the load in previous seasons, but this year, the Longhorns have yet to establish a dominant rushing attack behind Jonathan Brooks and a stable of backs. While Brooks has shown flashes of promise, the team as a whole has struggled to consistently move the ball on the ground against elite defensive units.
The ability to run the football effectively not only helps open up the passing game, but it also takes pressure off the quarterback and controls the clock. For Sarkisian to get over the hump and into the CFP, his offensive line must improve its ability to create holes for the running backs, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The offensive line must also provide more consistent protection for Quinn Ewers to avoid pressure on passing plays.
Against top-tier competition, the lack of a strong offensive line could be a fatal flaw. Teams like Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan have built their success on dominating the trenches, and Texas will need to do the same if they hope to make a legitimate run at a national championship.
3. Defense Must Be More Disciplined
While the Texas defense has been generally solid under Sarkisian, there is still room for improvement, especially when it comes to discipline and execution in key moments. The Longhorns’ defense is loaded with talent, including future NFL prospects like Jaylan Ford and Tavondre Sweat, but they need to improve their ability to close out games, especially against high-powered offenses.
In games against top teams, Texas has occasionally struggled with consistency, especially when it comes to keeping offenses from getting big plays. The defense needs to be more disciplined in its assignments, limit mental mistakes, and avoid costly penalties or blown coverages. At times, they have shown vulnerabilities, particularly against teams with elite quarterbacks who can exploit holes in the secondary. With teams like Alabama and TCU in the mix, Texas’ defense will need to be able to lock down passing attacks while also maintaining balance against the run.
One area of concern has been the defensive secondary. The Longhorns have a solid cornerback duo in Jalen Catalon and Ryan Watts, but their ability to consistently cover against elite wide receivers has been inconsistent. Texas will need its defensive backs to be better at limiting explosive plays downfield, especially in tight games against the nation’s top offenses. Steve Sarkisian’s defense must show more discipline in its coverage, making sure they don’t give up critical big plays when games are on the line.
Texas’ defense also needs to be better at getting after the quarterback. Sack production has been inconsistent, and pressure on opposing quarterbacks is key to disrupting an offense’s rhythm. If the Longhorns are to beat top teams like Georgia, who excel at controlling the line of scrimmage, Texas needs more consistent pressure from its front seven.
4. Special Teams: A Hidden Area of Concern
While many overlook special teams when evaluating a team’s overall success, special teams can be the deciding factor in close games, especially in a CFP scenario. Texas has had some ups and downs on special teams under Sarkisian, and it is an area that could use more stability if the Longhorns are to take the next step.
Whether it’s a missed field goal, a punt that doesn’t pin the opponent deep, or a kick return that’s not adequately covered, the Longhorns’ special teams could very well be the difference between a title run and a disappointing finish. Texas must improve in this area, especially when it comes to field goal kicking and kickoff coverage. Bert Auburn, the team’s placekicker, has been solid but still lacks the consistency that top-tier teams have in their special teams units.
Sarkisian needs to ensure that his special teams units are just as reliable as his offense and defense, particularly when the game is on the line in the postseason.
5. Coaching and Game Management in Critical Moments
While Sarkisian has proven to be an excellent offensive mind, he’s had his share of questionable decisions and missed opportunities in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s managing the clock in the final minutes, making the right play call on third-and-short, or adjusting to what the opposing team is doing, Sarkisian must be able to execute in high-leverage moments.
This has been a weakness at times for Sarkisian’s teams, and it’s something that has held Texas back in big games. If the Longhorns are to make a CFP run, Sarkisian must make better in-game decisions and avoid the costly mistakes that have plagued his coaching career in the past.
Conclusion: Can Sarkisian and the Longhorns Fix These Issues?
For Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns, the road to a College Football Playoff title is clear—talent alone will not get them to the promised land. The Longhorns have the pieces in place, but there are still key areas that must be addressed if they want to win a national championship. Whether it’s quarterback consistency, offensive line play, defensive discipline, special teams, or coaching decisions, the Longhorns have work to do.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Sarkisian and his staff. How they address these weaknesses, and whether they can iron out these issues in time, will determine whether the Longhorns are a legitimate CFP contender or a team that falls just short. Sarkisian has the opportunity to cement his legacy as a national championship-winning coach, but to do so, he must ensure that Texas is firing on all cylinders when it matters most.
Leave a Reply