Steve Sarkisian says Texas playing in bowl game is a 'great opportunity'

The Texas Longhorns have a great opportunity in the team’s bowl game this postseason, so says Steve Sarkisian. No. 20 Texas takes on No. 12 Washington in the Alamo Bowl and while the Longhorns fell short of their goal of playing for a Big 12 title, Sarkisian’s crew could end on a high note.

“I think in the end, being in a bowl game is a great opportunity,” Sarkisian said this week of the team playing the Huskies. “We’re playing a heck of a team, man. University of Washington is a top-10 opponent. We have a great opportunity ahead of us. It’s going to take everybody dialing into what we need to do. But it’s a great challenge for sure. We have to make sure we’re prepared, we’re focused and we’re doing the things necessary to perform.”

Texas finished the season 8-4 with a 38-27 win over Baylor, but did not get the necessary breaks from other conference foes to take on TCU in the Big 12 title game. However, there were positives for the Longhorns throughout the season.

The emergence of quarterback Quinn Ewers, in his first season after transferring over from Ohio State, was notable when he was healthy.

While up and down, Texas seems to have a top-notch quarterback under center. In nine games this season, Ewers threw for 1,808 yards, 14 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 56.6% completion percentage.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Ewers was a five-star prospect out of Southlake (Texas) Carroll according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. quarterback prospect in the class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the class.

He’ll have to step up in the Alamo Bowl due to the reported absence of running back Bijan Robinson, the Longhorns’ star running back who’s expected to go to the NFL shortly.

Regardless of who steps onto the field, Sarkisian was clear about his team’s process throughout the month of December.

“I think at the end of the day it’s … about prioritizing,” Sarkisian said. “It’s what are you doing today. Today, we happen to be here for this press conference, then you go on to doing your home visits, then you get ready for practice tomorrow. You just go through it. I think at the end of the day, our players understand that. We dive into what we need to dive into. We go according to the process of what’s expected of us. That’s what we do. I wish I could say it more eloquently, but that’s exactly what happens. You just handle what’s in front of you, then you go tackle it.”