Whether Texas fans like it or not, head coach Steve Sarkisian doesn't have the best record in "big games."

With the Longhorns, Sarkisian's record against teams finishing in the College Football Playoff top 10 is a measly 2-9. Now, that stat is a little unfair to Sarkisian, given it doesn't count teams that may have been top-10 when Texas beat them, but it's still a damning record nonetheless. 

However, the Longhorns have never looked outclassed in those nine losses. The highest loss margin Texas has endured in one of those games was last year against Georgia at home, when it lost 30-15. The second-worst was against Ohio State in the CFP Semifinal, losing 28-14. That score is a bit misleading because the Longhorns were one yard away from tying the game late in the fourth quarter.

Instead, a disaster four-play sequence found Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer going the other way for a game-sealing scoop-and-score touchdown. 

The team has had top-end, NFL-caliber talent to compete with anyone over the last few seasons. Whether it's Texas' explosive 2023 offense featuring a healthy Quinn Ewers and wideouts Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, or last year's defense that ranked third in points allowed per game, the talent is there. 

And perhaps that's what makes these losses hurt even more. 

This isn't to say the Sarkisian era has been a failure thus far, because it hasn't. Sarkisian's first job was to rebuild the program because it was a hot mess. Before arriving in 2021, the Longhorns had one ten-win season, including bowl games, since 2009. The last two seasons, Texas has accomplished that feat without needing a postseason victory. 

Sarkisian has done a phenomenal job getting the Longhorns back to a yearly contender in college football, and he should be commended for that.

But it's also fair to want more. 

While fans enjoy the team's resurgence and domination of arch-rivals Oklahoma and Texas A&M, many still have fond memories of Vince Young rumbling his way into the Rose Bowl end zone against USC in 2006, winning the national championship. 

Fair or not, those are the standards at Texas. 

Now, Sarkisian and the Longhorns roll into Athens, Georgia, the home of Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, who know a thing or two about winning big games. It's an opportunity for Texas to put itself in the driver's seat for a coveted CFP spot, but it's also a chance for Sarkisian to show the world he has what it takes to win the big one.

It was a little over two years ago when the Longhorns went into Bryant-Denny Stadium and shocked Nick Saban and Alabama 34-24, cementing themselves as contenders.

It's time for a similar statement to be made Saturday night under the lights at Sanford Stadium.