Even With College Football Playoff Expansion, Texas Longhorns Steve Sarkisian's Job Remains The Same

Even with a 12-team expansion coming in 2024, the Texas Longhorns still must play as if only four teams will head to the College Football Playoff.

Debates for College Football Playoff expansion will never cease. Even when the playoff expands to 12 teams next season, that unlucky 13th spot will have reason to gripe about their location. 

In a 12-team playoff, the Texas Longhorns wouldn't have to worry about winning against Oklahoma State on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in the Big 12 championship. Two-loss teams would still have a chance to make the postseason, and the No. 7 Longhorns would have the resume to back their status in a new conference. 

But Texas coach Steve Sarkisian doesn't look at what could be, but rather what is. In this playoff scenario, the Longhorns must win in Jerry World against the No. 18 Cowboys if they hope to remain in contention for one of the four spots. 

“I've got a responsibility to our team, and I think every other coach feels that way,” said Sarkisian. “We want what's best for our players, and if I need to advocate for our team and politic for our team to try to get us into the playoffs, I'm going to do that because that's my job as their coach.”

Even with a Week 2 double-digit road victory over then-No. 3 Alabama, the Longhorns (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) don't control their destiny to the postseason. That was evident when the CFP committee elected to put one-loss Oregon and Ohio State at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively, in the latest polls. 

The No. 8 Crimson Tide (11-1, 8-0 SEC) have also improved since the 34-24 defeat in Title Town. That version of the team that stepped foot in Bryant-Denny Stadium in early September is extinct, and in its place stands a Nick Saban-led program capable of ending No. 1 Georgia's 29-game win streak. 

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.  / Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Texas still owns the head-to-head matchup, and the committee has honored it through four postseason ranking unveilings. Both teams still could surpass the Buckeyes and Ducks with convincing wins Saturday afternoon to secure their spot in the final four. 

Sarkisian, who's on the cusp of bringing the program its first conference title in 14 years, believes his team is better prepared to take on the Pokes (9-3, 6-2) thanks to facing more formidable opponents as part of their non-conference schedule. 

"We got a lot of value in going to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this year and winning that game, and I think that that's helped us put ourselves in position to win a Big 12 championship Saturday," said Sarkisian. 

As for expansion, Texas won't be promised a seat at the 12-team table as the newest member of the SEC. Roster-wise, the Longhorns could contend for a conference title in 2024 should they get past Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M and rival Oklahoma. 

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Even then, Sarkisian doesn't think his job will change much. The Longhorns still must win on Saturdays to fight for their shot at a Monday night showdown.

"The same way we're trying to get our team into the playoffs next year, the teams that are ranked 13, 14, 15 and 16, they're going to be trying to get their teams in next year," said Sarkisian. "So I don't know if that part's ever really going to go away.”

Kickoff in Arlington is scheduled for 11 a.m.