Steve Sarkisian gives his approach to promoting Texas for College Football Playoff

Steve Sarkisian isn’t interested in campaigning for a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, he isn’t above it, either. On Thursday, the Texas head coach discussed his team’s resumé and his responsibility to help them reach the CFP.

“I’m always trying to count on you guys to politic for us,” Sarkisian told the press. “You guys follow us and know us and know our stats and know about our red zone defense and third down defense and know that we beat a top 25 team with a backup quarterback and all that all that kind of stuff, right?

“But, inevitably, hey, I’ve got a responsibility to our team. I think every other coach feels that way. We want what’s best for our players, and if I need to advocate for our team and politic for our team to try to get us into the playoffs, I’m going to do that because that’s that’s my job as their coach.”

Texas certainly isn’t guaranteed a spot in the CFP. The Longhorns finished the season on a six-game win streak, but they did not have a perfect season. In the Red River Showdown, Oklahoma stunned Texas, pulling out a 34-30 victory.

Now, Texas must deal with the repercussions of its flawed record. Of course, the Longhorns have plenty going for them, as Sarkisian was keen to mention. Texas has the top Red Zone defense and third-down defense in the country.

Steve Sarkisian makes no excuses

Additionally, Texas finished strong. In Week 13, the Longhorns stamped over Texas Tech in a blowout victory. If the CFP followed a 12-team format this season, Texas would stroll in with ease. However, Sarkisian knows that’s not reality.

“The 12 team playoff — I think everybody’s gonna be happy about that,” Sarkisian said. “But, the same way we’re trying to get our team into the playoffs, next year, the teams that are ranked 13, 14, 15 and 16, they’re going to be trying to get their teams in the 12, 11, 10 and nine [spots]. I don’t know if that part’s ever really going to go away.”

The Longhorns can only control the opportunities in front of them, and they have a big one this weekend. On Saturday, Texas will square off against Oklahoma State at noon ET in the Big 12 Championship.

Texas has not won the conference championship since 2009 when it defeated Nebraska. The game on Saturday will be broadcast on ABC.