Steve Sarkisian likes matchups with in-state G5 programs, plus other notes from the SEC Coaches Teleconference

Over the next seven years, the Texas Longhorns will host UTSA, UTEP, Sam Houston, and Texas State in non-conference play with plenty more room for other in-state Group of 5 programs like Rice and North Texas. While the big matchups with schools like Michigan and Ohio State garner a lot of attention, Steve Sarkisian likes hosting in-state Group of 5 schools for non-conference contests.

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“I think it’s good for the state,” Sarkisian said Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I think it’s great that we do play teams in our own state. I think it’s great for their brand. I think it’s good for our brand. I think it creates for a really good environment at DKR. One thing I’ll say about those teams is they’re all dangerous, and this week is no different.”

He gave UTSA, this week’s opponent for the Longhorns, high praise.

“Coach (Jeff) Traylor has done a great job with UTSA, they’re a dangerous football team,” Sarkisian said. “They’ve won a bunch of games. They know how to win. They believe in their style and the way they play the game.”

The Bobcats, Bearkats, and Miners were complimented as well.

“We see what Texas State is doing now and what Sam Houston’s done, and UTEP with a new coach and what they’re going to start to build,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian mentioned that many of these scheduling decisions were made before he arrived at Texas in January of 2021. In addition, there are a number of factors that go into scheduling non-conference opponents, primarily whether the SEC is going to go to a 9-game conference schedule after 2025 or remain with the current 8-game format. Deciding who to play, along with athletic director Chris Del Conte, has to account for all these variables.

No matter what the SEC does, Sark described these as challenging games for his Longhorns. They present an opening for his players to feel like a lower quality game can get the win because the helmet on the other team may not be that of a name brand opponent.

Sarkisian said that this weekend, it’s a must for his team to maintain the high level of preparation and play for the Roadrunners coming off the win at Michigan.

“I challenged them,” Sarkisian said. “I said this is a leadership week. Our leaders have got to step up. We’ve got to make sure we’re holding everybody accountable to make sure we’re doing things the right way, and then we’ll find out Saturday night what that looks like. This week is going to really measure the maturity in my opinion of this football team.”

UTSA traveled well in 2022, even bringing the Spirit of San Antonio marching band to DKR. Texas State can do the same, as can North Texas, Rice, and UTEP. Sarkisian likes how the atmosphere features people from all over Texas in Austin. Even though there are logistics to work out, Sarkisian enjoys hosting other Lone Star State Group of 5 programs during non-conference play.

“I think it is good for the state of Texas that we play an in-state team every year,” Sarkisian said.

Other notes from Sarkisian on the SEC Coaches Teleconference…

***Texas has a star freshman wideout in Ryan Wingo: A number of teams throughout the country have boasted strong performances from freshman wide receivers, including the Texas Longhorns with Ryan Wingo.

Sark was asked on the conference call what allowed for Wingo, who led the Longhorns in rushing after a 55-yard carry on a reverse at Michigan, to be a part of what’s usually a tight receiver rotation early in his career.

Sarkisian mentioned having the requisite size, speed, and length, but looked a the intangibles as to why No. 5 has made a number of plays already.

“I think the thing that probably allows him to play early is his demeanor,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a hardworking guy. He’s super humble. He understands he doesn’t know everything. He wants to be coached, and takes tough coaching.

“When do you find out how a guy might play early? He makes the plays when the opportunities come his way. That showed up in our spring game. That showed up in our scrimmages and fall camp. He did not disappoint. In week one, he made some explosive catches, then obviously last week in Ann Arbor had the big reverse there that got us down inside the five-yard line.”

***Defensive line and affecting the pocket: Michigan tried to run the ball against Texas to see if the Longhorn defense can still make life on the ground difficult for opponents. They found out the hard way, tallying just 80 yards on the ground.

“People are going to see if that run defense is still as good as it was,” Sarkisian said. “I think we’re finding out we’re a pretty good run-stopping defense.”

Still, Sarkisian saw places for his pass-rush and defense line to improve. He mentioned Davis Warren‘s late touchdown pass was the result of him having time to scramble and find open receivers on multiple plays. There were also a lot of “almosts,” where defenders got a hand on Warren but couldn’t bring him down.

While Sarkisian was pleased with the effort, he admitted there’s room to grow.

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“We want to create the pressure but we don’t want to let them escape the pocket,” Sarkisian said.