Paul Finebaum reveals what close loss to Alabama says about Texas, Steve Sarkisian

Texas shocked plenty of people with their near upset of Alabama this weekend. The Longhorns had the Crimson Tide on the ropes and nearly pulled out the win. Had it not been for some clutch plays leading into a game-winning kick, they very well may have won. After a week of being told they weren’t in the same league as Alabama, Paul Finebaum says this moral victory says a lot about Steve Sarkisian and what he’s building in Austin.

Finebaum talked about Alabama’s win over Texas on ‘McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning’ on Monday. He said this was a different Longhorn team from years past and he credits Sarkisian for having them ready when everyone told them they were going to lose big.

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“Ultimately, that was a different team,” said Finebaum. “When you have Alabama players hang around all week and hear how they’re going to win by 30 or 40 and Stephen A. Smith goes on national television and says a beatdown is coming, I’ve always believed that does rub off on the players to a degree. You can’t shut that stuff out. That was the narrative all week.”

Texas’ one-point loss was a heartbreaker for everyone inside DKR Texas Memorial Stadium. Even with Quinn Ewers leaving due to a sprained clavicle, the Longhorns had the lead with 1:29 to go. That was until the final 10 seconds after Alabama’s kick from 33 yards was good.

While some don’t believe in moral victories, Texas can take something out of this loss. Paul Finebaum gave Texas their fair share of credit for competing in this game. That’s because, coming into it, everyone was predicting a blowout. However, that does mean the other portion falls on Alabama for not playing to their level over the weekend too.

“It just didn’t have that feel of a game that was going to be seriously in jeopardy,” said Finebaum.

The loss says a lot about Sarkisian’s team. They could have let the moment get to them like in years past and taken a knockout punch from Alabama. Instead, they were in it until the very end. It may provide little solace after defeat in a high-profile matchup, but Texas’ performance provides plenty of optimism about what they can do in 2022.