Steve Sarkisian Is Making Texas Football’s Pressure Problem Worse

Steve Sarkisian doesn’t need to manufacture hype around Texas football. The Longhorns already have more attention, expectations and national championship pressure than almost any program in the country.

That’s why Sarkisian’s public discussion about the players Texas moved on from during the offseason felt unnecessary.

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Texas aggressively reshaped its roster through the transfer portal, particularly at the skill positions. That wasn’t a secret.

Departures involving Ryan Wingo’s supporting cast, including DeAndre Moore Jr., Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, were already well documented. The additions of Cam Coleman, Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown and others made the Longhorns’ intentions equally obvious.

Texas believed it could upgrade. It acted accordingly.

Sarkisian didn’t reveal a groundbreaking roster-building strategy by discussing those decisions. He simply gave critics, opposing fans and former players another reason to circle the Longhorns before the season begins.

That might not matter if Texas steamrolls through its schedule. Winning has a funny way of turning offseason controversy into background noise.

But this isn’t an ordinary Texas team entering an ordinary season.

Arch Manning is the starting quarterback. The roster is loaded. Sarkisian is entering his sixth year, a point when patience begins disappearing for coaches who haven’t delivered a national title.

Anything short of a College Football Playoff run will be treated as a disappointment, and even reaching the playoff may not satisfy everyone.

Sarkisian clearly believes this group can handle that burden. He has every reason to be confident. Texas appears deep across the roster, strengthened several important positions and doesn’t have an obvious weakness among its projected starters.

Still, confidence and unnecessary noise aren’t the same thing.

Calling attention to players who were replaced creates a sharper spotlight on the newcomers. Coleman, Smothers, Brown and the rest of Texas’ additions now won’t merely be expected to perform. They’ll be compared directly to the players who left every time the offense struggles.

That’s a dangerous standard to create before anyone has played a meaningful snap.

Sarkisian’s honesty is usually refreshing in a profession dominated by rehearsed answers and empty coach speak. He doesn’t hide what he thinks, and that personality has helped him connect with players and fans.

This season, however, restraint might serve him better.

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Texas doesn’t need another headline. It needs to turn elite talent into a championship.

Sarkisian has helped create a roster capable of winning it all. He has also helped make the consequences of falling short even louder.