Steve Sarkisian describes the feeling of seeing Texas officially make College Football Playoff

The long-running joke about Texas being ‘back’ might be getting retired. The Longhorns are in the College Football Playoff, with head coach Steve Sarkisian leading Texas to the Playoff in his third season with the program.

After it was announced that Texas would be in the Playoff, Sarkisian appeared on the College Football Playoff Selection Show where he broke down the emotions of seeing the Longhorns finally make it.

“I think our players kind of exuded all of the emotions we had,” Steve Sarkisian said. “When you don’t know, which is always the difficult part when there is a committee and you’re not an undefeated team, there’s always going to be that nervousness and anxiety because you just don’t know what the discussions are in that room.”

Texas won its first Big 12 title since 2009 this season. That 2009 season was also the last time that the Longhorns were a competitor for the national championship, playing in the BCS National Championship Game that season.

“I think you just saw the excitement from our players, our fanbase, everyone involved. This has been a heck of a journey for us, so to earn a seat at the table, to be in this tournament, is one that we’re humbled by but excited for as well.”

Texas is going into the College Football Playoff as the three-seed. With that, the Longhorns are going to play the Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl. The winner of that game will move on to play for the national championship this season.

The Longhorns opened as a 5.4-point favorite over unbeaten Washington. The point total for the game was initially set at 63.5 points. The game itself will be played on New Year’s Day.

Quinn Ewers says Texas ‘pretty fired up’ to reach College Football Playoff

Shortly after the announcement that Texas would be in the College Football Playoff, starting quarterback Quinn Ewers also shared on the College Football Playoff Selection Show that he’s excited for the opportunity.

“We’re just so excited and truly honored to be a part of the playoff,” Ewers said.

“We were all just pretty fired up when they announced it. Honestly pretty speechless at the opportunity that we have in front of us, and just couldn’t be more proud of how this team works and continues to just focus on us and the opinions inside these walls instead of focusing on what’s going on outside.”