Paul Finebaum on whether Texas is SEC ready

Texas recently announced its plan to join the SEC in the summer of 2025. On Saturday, the Longhorns got their first taste of SEC life with a 40-21 loss on the road against long-time rival Arkansas. The poor showing left fans and commentators, including Paul Finebaum, wondering whether Texas will be ready for the level of competition in the SEC.

The No. 15 Longhorns fell to Arkansas in front of a record-breaking crowd. The Razorbacks ran for 333 yards and four touchdowns, and quarterback KJ Jefferson added 138 yards and a score through the air.

After Texas won 38-18 in a ranked matchup against Louisiana last week, new head coach Steve Sarkisian seemed to have the Longhorns trending up. This 19-point defeat signals Texas is still not where they want to be as a program.

ESPN and SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum joined SportsCenter on Sunday to address the concerns about Texas.

“I think Texas will be ready,” said Finebaum on ESPN SportsCenter on Sunday.  “I know last night would not convince anyone of that argument, but they are recruiting better because of being in the SEC in a couple of years.”

The alure of playing in the SEC just a few years from now could certainly help Texas land better recruiting classes, as will the arrival of Sarkisian. The first-year coach has a long track record of exciting offensive football and spent three of the past five years in the SEC under Nick Saban.

“Three or four years down the road, I think they’ll be ready for the challenge,” said Finebaum.

More comments about Texas in the SEC

In the middle of the Arkansas loss, Texas football alum and current Fox Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho took to Twitter to defend his team’s decision to join the SEC.

“To clarify any confusion. Texas is going to the SEC because of money. Not to increase their chances of winning,” Acho posted. “Texas may lose on the field, but will always win in the bank! Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.”

When Texas and Oklahoma announced their intention to move from the Big 12 to the SEC, the discussion around Texas’ recent lack of success exploded.

Since the end of the Mack Brown era in 2013, Texas is now 2-3 against the SEC. They are 2-5 against current conference foe Oklahoma who will accompany them in the move. In total, the Longhorns have won double-digit games just once since 2009, a 10-4 season in 2018.

However, to Acho’s point, the payout from joining the SEC is immense for Texas. Last year, Texas and Oklahoma received $34 million from the Big 12. The move to the SEC could yield a number in excess of $60 million.

In four years at Texas, the former linebacker recorded 240 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He had a pair of interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles as well. Acho was a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 and spent a few years in the NFL with the Browns, Eagles and Giants.