Texas may be long gone from the Big 12 but its head coach is seemingly still focused on the conference, as Steve Sarkisian dissed Texas Tech over its schedule.
The Longhorns and Red Raiders may no longer line up from each other on the gridiron, but that does not stop the programs from battling off the field.
In the latest spat between the bitter rivals, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian invoked Texas Tech, and the Big 12 as a whole, in a discussion over what he perceives as weak scheduling.
According to Anwar Richardson, Sarkisian remarked, "There's a team in our state that plays in another conference that has a schedule that I would argue if I played with our twos and threes, we could go undefeated, and they'll probably make the CFP this year."
Richardson reported that this pointed answer followed a question from a fan at a luncheon for the Touchdown Club in Houston about how strength of schedule should factor into the selection process for the College Football Playoff. While Sarkisian did not directly name Texas Tech, those reading between the lines can see the correlation to the Red Raiders.
Texas entered the season with lofty expectations off a run to the CFP Semifinals and Arch Manning taking over the reins at quarterback for the Longhorns. However, it fumbled three games throughout the season and went from preseason-No. 1 to out of the 12-team field. Despite their losses, the Longhorns rallied behind key wins over several top-tier teams, which led to the debate over scheduling from Sark that seems to have spilled over into the offseason.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech put together its best season in program history with an 11-1 regular season record and first Big 12 Championship. The Red Raiders eventually ran out of gas in a CFP showdown with Oregon. Even in the face of their monster wins during the regular season, this final defeat sparked debate over the strength of the Big 12 once again.
Later at the luncheon, Sarkisian stated that he feels that only four teams should qualify for the CFP. "You had the opportunity to compete for a national championship during those 12 regular-season games, and I felt like when we were at four teams, those four teams were held in very high regard, and you earned your opportunity to be one of those four teams."
In the span of a few minutes, Sark appears to have made the argument for Texas Tech to make the postseason over Texas. Although it is possible to value both regular season results and quality of those wins, the concept Sark put forward about valuing the 12 games first and foremost would potentially give the Red Raiders the edge based on last season.
While there are serious questions over the quality of teams found in the Big 12 after the removal of Texas and Oklahoma and the downturn of perennial powerhouses like TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Kansas State, Texas Tech won 11 of its 12 regular season games and did not lose to anyone with a losing record, which cannot be said for Texas.
Texas Tech Board of Regents President Cody Campbell fired back and offered a chance to settle the debate on the field. "Schedule us then! We've been talking about it for years and we are more than willing!!," wrote Campbell on X while tagging Sarkisian and Texas' Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte.
There is no sign yet that the Red Raiders and Longhorns will be renewing their rivalry in the near future. In the meantime, Texas and Sarkisian may be better off worrying about getting back to the postseason than what happens in the league and with a team they were so adamant to get away from.
