Texas, with eye on CFP, rolls to Big 12 title game

AUSTIN, Texas — Throughout the season, Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has been consistently urging his squad to embrace the bullseye placed on them as the Longhorns embarked on their ultimate Big 12 campaign before transitioning to the SEC the following year.

On Friday evening, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium transformed into a grand departure fête as the Longhorns (11-1, 8-1 in conference) secured their spot in the upcoming Saturday’s Big 12 championship showdown with a 57-7 thrashing of Texas Tech, the squad that had upended Texas the previous year in Lubbock. By doing so, the Longhorns registered their inaugural 50-point victory in a Big 12 contest since 2007, and notched their second-largest triumph over the Red Raiders in 73 encounters.

The No. 7 Longhorns showcased a commandingly formidable defense, confining Texas Tech to a mere 198 total yards and scoring through both defense and special teams. Luck favored Texas on every turn, highlighted by an instance where the ball ricocheted off Red Raiders’ running back Tahj Brooks‘ foot straight into linebacker Jett Bush‘s hands, who darted 43 yards for a touchdown.

Research by ESPN Stats & Information illuminate that Texas was the first team in the Big 12 to achieve a blocked punt, a kickoff return touchdown, and a defensive touchdown in a single match within the past two decades.

“I’m not quite sure how this will be perceived from a College Football Playoff standpoint,” Sarkisian commented when questioned about the impact of Friday night’s win. “What’s crystal clear to me is we’ve got one more matchup to vie for a Big 12 Championship, and I’m privy to a locker room full of individuals eager to finalize that chapter of our journey next week. After that, the decision they make will be theirs alone to make.”

Sarkisian reiterated the most compelling declaration made by the Longhorns happened in the second week, when they vanquished Alabama 34-24.

“I stand by my belief that we’ve secured the most significant victory in the nation this season,” Sarkisian asserted. “Venturing into Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and prevailing by a margin of double digits – I’ve voiced this previously, even as we are on the cusp of joining that conference next year – if pulling off such a feat were straightforward, then other SEC squads would have successfully replicated it in the other 53 games, rather than amassing a 52-1 record. So for what we’ve achieved thus far this season, I am immensely proud of our players. We’ll wait to see what unfolds next week, but our focus remains on our obligations.”

There was heightened anticipation for this game since the previous year when Texas Tech defeated the Longhorns 37-34 in Lubbock, and the Red Raiders broadcasted a clip on social networks with coach Joey McGuire declaring, “I promised you they’d crumble, and indeed they did. The nation will soon realize: Everything emanates from Lubbock!”

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, addressing a fan group in Lubbock during preseason, challenged McGuire to terminate Texas’ Big 12 affiliation on a losing note.

“Coach [McGuire], no intention to pressure you, but I’ll be in Austin for Thanksgiving, alright?” expressed Yormark back then. “And you’ve got to complete the task as you did here in Lubbock last year.”

Late into the triumphant game on Friday night, Texas aired Yormark’s proclamation on the stadium’s video screen, eliciting joy from the audience.

“I had the opportunity to meet Brett prior to the game, and as I’ve mentioned, I appreciate him attending our game tonight,” said Sarkisian. “However, we do exploit any aspect that can ignite our players, and in this regard, I am grateful for the video. … Broadcasting that recording to the stadium and to all our supporters, I perceive as an element of the entire festivity. I’m aware he’ll be present next week. So, we aspire to put on yet another splendid performance for him.”

During the jubilations, the highly-acclaimed freshman recruit Arch Manning debuted in a Texas game, stepping onto the field in the latter part of the third quarter and continuing throughout the fourth. An injury to backup quarterback Maalik Murphy on the sidelines during an earlier kickoff return prompted Manning’s introduction. Upon his entry, spectator excitement reached fever pitch, and it soared even higher after his initial two handoffs, when he darted for a 5-yard gain.

“I have yet to witness such enthusiasm for a backup quarterback’s entry into a game… when Arch joined in, the crowd was abuzz,” divulged Sarkisian. “We attempted to hush the spectators.”

Manning, teaming with the second-string offense, achieved 2-of-5 passes for 30 yards and demonstrated his agility with a 12-yard scramble. Sarkisian mentioned there were “aspects for him to build upon for the future, but [I was] pleased he could partake in the game.”

With the Texas’ previous six games being determined by 10 points or fewer, Friday’s commanding performance was akin to a unison sigh of relief as the Longhorns clinched their first berth in the Big 12 title match since 2018 and posted an 11-win season for their first time since 2009.

“The general sentiment was finally, at long last, we’ve progressed to a stage where our nails aren’t being chewed right up until the end, so it was a fantastic celebration in that regard,” Sarkisian revealed. “We’re bracing for a confrontation against an exceptionally strong team next week, and it will require an excelling performance from our players, including precision, discipline, and toughness to seize that victory, so we have some refinements to make based on tonight’s results. Nevertheless, it was quite special to witness them deliver one of their most outstanding performances of the year.”