Updates from Steve Sarkisian on the SEC Coaches Teleconference

In the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian discussed a few key topics ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Here’s what Sark said and what fans need to know ahead of the Longhorns’ fourth SEC matchup and the first game off of a brutal loss against Georgia a week ago.

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Vanderbilt’s Improvement

“I think for our team heading into this weekend’s matchup with Vanderbilt, this is a great test for us,” Sarkisian said. “Vanderbilt is much improved, and I think Clark (Lea’s) done a tremendous job of building that team into having the identity that they have.”

Sarkisian highlighted Vanderbilt’s ability to minimize explosive plays on defense and control the ball on offense. 

He also noted that Vanderbilt leads the SEC in turnover margin, time of possession, third down conversion rate and red zone offense. 

Diego Pavia

“The quarterback is a guy that I admire a ton. The way he plays the game,” Sarkisian said. “Pavia plays the game well. He’s a tough, hard nosed guy. Can run it, can throw it.”

Pavia leads SEC quarterbacks in rushing yards and has thrown just one interception on the season, with only Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart ahead of him in the SEC in adjusted yards per attempt.

Mentality Challenge

“It’s obviously a challenge for us off the field too, from a mentality standpoint, coming off of the loss to Georgia last week,” Sarkisian said. “And so it was a good test for us as a team, from a maturity standpoint, how we respond to some of the adversity coming off of a loss, but also preparing for a very tough opponent.”

Texas’ loss to Georgia last week was its first loss in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium since November of 2022 against TCU, and the first time the Longhorns lost by double-digits at home in Sarkisian’s tenure. 

CFP Expansion

“I actually was just talking to an NFL executive about this. It’s got a little bit more of an NFL feel in that you can afford a loss,” Sarkisian said. “You can afford maybe not to be your best. You can afford to maybe have some injuries that cost you where you’re not at 100% and you don’t play your best, and you lose the ball game, but yet continue to strive for an opportunity to be in that playoff at the end.”

Sarkisian thinks that the CFP expansion has positively affected the regular season, and enjoys that losing a singular game doesn’t completely tarnish the year.

Sarkisian also added that it is a challenge for fanbases to accept that now, as many fans are used to teams needing to go undefeated to have a chance at the championship. 

“You know, we lost a really good Georgia team Saturday that I had to remind myself was already coming into that game with the loss,” Sarkisian said. “And so how we respond, and how people respond to that loss, I think is what’s as critical as anything.”

Sarkisian also added that this year’s SEC championship race will be particularly exciting with the Longhorns being brand new and the abolishment of the division system.

Overall, Sarkisian is still striving for perfection the margin for error is larger in the 12-team era.

Sedrick Alexander

“I think he’s a heck of a running back,” Sarkisian said “I think like I said, the combination with he and Pavia at quarterback, you know their running style is one that is a physical style.”

Sarkisian noted that the Austin native and Vanderbilt starting running back plays a physical brand of football, and the combination of Alexander and Pavia will be a key part of Saturday’s matchup.

Alexander and Pavia have combined for 850 yards on the ground.

Efficiency 

“I think that when you’re playing a team like Vanderbilt, who is very efficient, can control the ball, can extend drives on third downs, things of that nature, it’s not counting the plays. It’s not counting the possessions. It’s making the plays and making the possessions count,” Sarkisian said.

As noted earlier, Vanderbilt has the highest time of possession in the conference, and is extremely efficient at keeping the ball and making each play count.

Sarkisian drilled home that his team needed to be very efficient on Saturday by minimizing wasted plays and being effective on third and fourth downs.

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Bouncing Back

“We’ve got a competitive locker room,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got players that have great leadership, great competitive spirit about them. I think anytime you lose, real competitors that leaves a bad taste in their mouth.”

Sarkisian believes that his team has something to prove and wants his players to come in on Saturday with a chip on their shoulder to motivate them to succeed.