Bruce Feldman details how important the College Football Playoff is for Steve Sarkisian

Texas winning the Big 12 and making the College Football Playoff meant a lot to them and to the people down on The 40 Acres. However, to Bruce Feldman, it represents just as much about Steve Sarkisian as the head coach of the program.

Feldman explained the meaning of this accomplishment for Sark during an appearance on ‘The Rich Eisen Show’ on Wednesday. In his eyes, this playoff berth is a crowning moment for a coach that has come a long way in his journey and has changed a ton since he began. Therefore, his teams have changed just as much in that span as well.

“He has evolved so much from the guy who used to coach at Washington. Or even the one who struggled at USC,” said Feldman.

“I think, the time at Alabama? He took some of the best things from Nick Saban. Literally took some of the best assistant coaches that Nick Saban had on that staff,” Feldman said. “But, for all the flash of him being a play-caller? I think he realized, ‘We need to be physical’, ‘We need to be an in the trenches, nasty team’. They have that.”

This is Sarkisian’s 10th season as a head coach and third down in Austin. In that role, though, Feldman sees someone who isn’t the same as he was when he took over in Seattle back in 2009.

After seven decent seasons in the Pac-12, Sarkisian was let go in Los Angeles after dealing with some off-field issues. That eventually led him to Tuscaloosa where everything changed as far as his career path.

After five seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Tide as well as the Atlanta Falcons, Sarkisian had picked up a lot, specifically from Saban. Once he got the opportunity with the Longhorns, he couldn’t say no to his next chance as a head coach.

Since then, he has rebuilt Texas from five wins in his first year to eight in his second. Now, with a 12-1 record, a conference title, and a spot in the playoff, year three has been a statement for the program under Sarkisian.

Still, Sarkisian and Texas aren’t done yet. With all that’s at their disposal, Feldman believes they have just as good a shot as any of the four teams to bring a national championship back to their building for the first time since 2005.

“They’re a dangerous team,” said Feldman. “They have a lot of speed at receiver, they have a streaky quarterback, and they have good big people.”

“That, right now, could win them a national title,” said Feldman.