Steve Sarkisian explains how Alabama loss reset the program's standard for Texas fans

Not many believe in the idea of a ‘moral victory’, especially in college football. However, if we’ve seen one this season, it was for the Texas Longhorns in their near upset of Alabama. Steve Sarkisian’s team took the tide down to the final moments and nearly earned themselves a program-defining win. Even in defeat, though, Sarkisian believes everyone will look at the Longhorns differently now.

Sarkisian spoke with the media Thursday about the new expectations surrounding Texas. He says it’s now on his team to play at the level they showed on Saturday which showed they were capable of taking out the best in the sport.

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“(The fan’s) energy is so impactful on what we do. We’ve set a new standard for ourselves from a style of play and a quality of play perspective. In turn, we set new expectations for our fans,” said Sarkisian. “Our fans are expecting us to come in and play that brand of football, that style of football.”

Had it not been for some late heroics from Bryce Young, Alabama would have gone back to Tuscaloosa with one marked in the loss column because of the Longhorns. They did all that with the starting quarterback leaving and a handful of calls not necessarily going their way. Having Nick Saban’s team on the ropes and nearly knocked out speaks volumes about where Texas really is compared to where people thought they were heading into their matchup with the Tide. Sarkisian now wants to see his players keep that same energy when it comes to the rest of their schedule.

“Regardless of the opponent, there’s a standard and an expectation for which we play the game of football. That’s what our fans expect, what we expect as coaches, and I think what our team expects from one another,” said Sarkisian. “If we do that, then we can all be proud of the way that we played the game.”

Everyone remembers Sam Ehlinger’s infamous ‘We’re Back!’ quote from a few seasons ago. Needless to say, it proved to be slightly premature. Now, it was almost fitting following the loss to Alabama. It was the most ‘back’ the Longhorns have felt in a while, even if it was in a loss. It said a lot about Steve Sarkisian’s program and says a lot about what the Longhorns can still accomplish with him at the helm, whether in 2022 or beyond.