TAMPA, FL – Taking the podium to an emptying out ballroom on Thursday afternoon at SEC Media Days, Steve Sarkisian did not shy away from the CFP expectations surrounding his Texas Longhorns this season.
After an early portion of the summer was seemingly dedicated to ruffling feathers within his own state of Texas, along with touching on the intricate courses of ‘basketweaving’ at Ole Miss, the attention finally turned to the lofty expectations that await the Longhorns this season.
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This time last year, the conversation centered around the unrealistic preseason hype around his quarterback
“Arch Manning a year ago wasn’t on social media or television saying he was going to win the Heisman Trophy, or be the first pick in the draft,” Steve Sarkisian said about the hype last year around Arch. “What he got put through would’ve melted 99% of the people in his shoes..
“What he got put through would’ve ruined 95% of the people in his shoes.”
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks into Camping World Stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 31, 2025. (aAustin American-Statesman via Getty Images)
Some decided to put him in the Heisman Trophy conversation before he had actually taken meaningful snaps for the Longhorns, while others (hey there) kept the expectations at a reasonable position.
Even Arch was the one who had to remind reporters last year in Atlanta that he had not accomplished anything at Texas worthy enough to have him on the constant preseason awards watch list.
But now, after a second half progression last season for the Longhorns, Manning is worthy enough to be labeled a Heisman Trophy contender. It also helps that Steve Sarkisian loaded up in the transfer portal with talent to surround his quarterback on the offensive side of the ball, led by wide receiver Cam Coleman.
“Manning is a lot more confident,” Sarkisian said about Arch. “I think last season, he found out a lot about himself. Any time we’re face with adversity, and we got on the other side of it, you gain confidence. I think that you see a different leader in him, in the way he interacts with his teammates.
“He’s very comfortable with who he is. He’s not trying to be something that he’s not.”
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If there was ever a time to put Sarkisian on a list of coaches who needed to live up to the expectations, this would be the perfect opportunity.
“The expectations are a lot higher in our building than they are on the outiside,” Steve Sarkisian told reporters.
Sure about that, Sark? Because most folks are expecting at the very least a CFP semifinal appearance this season.
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Compared to last year’s meeting with the media in Atlanta, this was obviously a different quarterback, with what seems like an urge to prove the doubters from last season wrong.
“No, there’s nothing you can do. Everybody has an opinion and gets paid to talk in the media,” Manning mentioned when asked about the ‘bust’ narrative last season. “I’m trying to control the controllables. But, it probably lights a little fire in me, and continue to try and prove myself one week at a time.”
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Knowing his background, Arch will do everything in his power to prove some of those who doubted him wrong. But, he’s not doing it for anyone outside of that Texas locker room.
Arch Manning visits with reporters at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida (Trey Wallace/FOX NEWS)
What we saw on Thursday was a young man who has grown over the past two years. Even if that did not meet the timeline for some, Arch has the character and purpose to make sure he is at least giving the Longhorns everything possible to compete for a national championship this season.
Last year, Manning looked like a quarterback who might have the best media-prep in college football, but understood he was going to need time to develop into the leader, and player, Steve Sarkisian needed him to be in Austin.
Joking about his golf game, finally breaking 80 last week, mentioning that he has taken the time to just enjoy life during the off-season, this is a player who is not getting bent out of shape over the things he cannot control.
“The best Manning golfer? It’s probably Peyton, yea,” Arch responded with a smile about family golf outings.
He’s most certainly grown up over the past year, that’s obvious. But, acknowledging his mistakes and outcomes from the previous season is another sign of his maturity.
“Yea, I had a few games like that last year,” Arch said about the Florida game last season. “
“We do a good job about not talking about NIL,” Arch mentioned. “I don’t know how it is at other schools, that’s big for us. It’s about the players, and not worrying about how much someone makes.”
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Right now, Steve Sarkisian can talk about the amount of tough games that await in the 2026 season, but the expectations inside and outside the program are for this Texas team to compete for a championship.
Now, sometimes the conference champion is usually a good indicator of national championship hopes. For Steve Sarkisian, getting past Georgia is a stepping-stone to taking the next step as a program.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before an NCAA college football game Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)
I’m not implying one has to win the SEC, or Big Ten and any other conference, to win the CFP.
But, Sarkisian understands that reaching the mountain top means that you probably need to take care of the reigning champion beforehand.
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“If you want to be the champion, you’ve got to beat the champion. We’ve lost to Georgia 3 times. Credit to Kirby, they’ve done a great job. If we want to be the champion, I’m guessing we’re probably going to have to beat the champion.”
Here we go, Texas.
