Ahead of Texas vs Alabama, Steve Sarkisian draws on similar experience at Washington, massive upset

Texas is gearing up for a huge Week 2 matchup against No. 1 Alabama this week. The game is filled with storylines, none bigger than Steve Sarkisian going against his former boss, Nick Saban.

But this isn’t uncharted territory for Sarkisian. He coached against another former employer and top-five team in 2009 — and it went well.

During his first season as the head coach at Washington in 2009, Sarkisian squared off against USC and Pete Carroll, for whom he worked from 2001-03 and 2005-08. The Huskies faced an early 10-0 deficit, but wound up coming back to beat the No. 3-ranked Trojans 16-13.

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That sounds familiar, right? As he prepares to face top-ranked Alabama, Sarkisian said he’s drawing from that experience 13 years ago.

“Very similar scenario in that I had worked for Pete Carroll for seven years and had a great deal of respect for what he did and what we were able to do in our time there,” Sarkisian said. “Again, I think it was buying into the idea of what the game plan was, where we needed to be from a psyche standpoint. One thing about that game that I remember vividly is we weathered a real storm early in that game. They might have had, their first two drives, I think they might’ve rushed for about 130 yards. We didn’t stop the run for anything the first two drives of the game. But our guys just kind of hung in there and they fought and they scratched and they clawed and next thing you know, it’s a tie game in the fourth quarter and you’ve got a chance.

“I think, inevitably, that team at that time — very similar to this team at this time — buying into the idea that the work you put in throughout the week ultimately will carry over to game day. A guy once told me culture, a lot of times, can have the opportunity to be talent when the culture’s really strong, when the chemistry’s really strong. So, we’ve got to make sure our chemistry’s right Saturday, as well. That we play as a team and not just talented individuals. That’ll be a big focus of ours this week, as well.”

The game is garnering plenty of attention, and for good reason. College GameDay will be in town for the showdown, which kicks off Saturday at noon ET on FOX.