The honeymoon barely began before adversity struck Steve Sarkisian in his first season coaching the Texas Longhorns. An embarrassing loss at Arkansas in Week 2 was followed by a six-game losing streak during Big 12 play. Texas fired Tom Herman after a 7-3 record in 2020. Sarkisian’s Longhorns went 5-7 last season.
The added knowledge of an upcoming move to the SEC puts Texas in an interesting spot. The Longhorns clearly can’t compete for an SEC title if they fail to consistently challenge for Big 12 glory. The problems plaguing the Longhorns for more than a decade will only be magnified with a jump up in competition. Sarkisian’s crew has one or two seasons to prepare for the move. Alabama visits Austin in Week 2 to provide the Longhorns, and their fans, a glimpse into the upcoming challenges.