Texas struggles under Steve Sarkisian as losses to Oklahoma and Florida raise concerns
The Longhorns have fallen from a top ranking after back-to-back defeats, prompting criticism of coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Arch Manning’s performance.
Texas entered the season as a high-priced contender, highlighted by a Week 2 victory over Ohio State and a quarterback roster featuring Arch Manning, a projected first-round NFL draft pick. However, the team slipped from the No. 1 spot after consecutive losses to Oklahoma and Florida. The defeat to Oklahoma came after a bye week, and Texas surrendered a 17-3 lead to fall 27-24 to Florida, marking its first loss to an opponent that has struggled defensively all season.
Coach Steve Sarkisian, who posted a 39-10 record over the past three and a half seasons and led Texas to two College Football Playoff appearances, faces criticism for the Longhorns’ inability to score consistently. The offense has failed to reach 30 points against a Florida defense that ranks near the bottom in pass defense, and analysts note that the team’s overall inconsistency mirrors patterns from Sarkisian’s earlier tenures at USC and Washington.
Despite the talent and resources invested in the program, the recent setbacks have intensified scrutiny of both the coaching staff and Manning’s development. The article suggests that unless Texas improves its offensive output and avoids further costly losses, its chances of returning to the playoff picture this season remain slim.