Steve Sarkisian reveals if Texas considered opting out of bowl game after missing CFP

Steve Sarkisian put on his political hat throughout the past few days, hoping to get his team into the College Football Playoff. Alas, the effort fell short, and Texas will instead go to the Citrus Bowl to face off against Michigan. Certainly not the destination Sarkisian wanted but the Longhorns will head to Orlando for the game.

Off the backs of Notre Dame opting out of their bowl game, Sarkisian was asked if that was ever in consideration for Texas. Sarkisian laid out the thought process behind accepting the bid, believing a good opportunity is ahead.

“No, we did not,” Sarkisian said. “We felt like if we didn’t get into the CFP, being right on the cusp, we’d have an opportunity to go to a really good bowl game. You think about the long-standing tradition of the Citrus Bowl, with a really quality opponent in Michigan, coming out of the Big Ten, that this was going to be a great opportunity for us, for our players, for our team.”

Sarkisian also pointed to last season when Texas did not get to fully take in the experience of playing in a bowl game. An SEC Championship loss meant there was not much time to think when it came to the College Football Playoff. Clemson was in town for a first-round matchup shortly after, only to play in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day vs. Arizona State. A semifinal against Ohio State took place at AT&T Stadium, seemingly not providing much of a bowl-like atmosphere.

The goal for Sarkisian entering the Citrus Bowl is for Texas to take in the moment. For years, playing in a bowl game was something special for a college football player. Even in a new era, Sarkisian wants to get back to those roots.

“We didn’t get the bowl experience,” Sarkisian said of last year. “I think that’s part of playing college football, getting some of that bowl experience… I want our guys to enjoy this. I think it’s the right thing for us to do for a lot of reasons.”

Part of what might help Texas enjoy the moment is a familiar opponent being on the other side. Just last year saw the Longhorns go up against Michigan, which was a marquee nonconference game. Matching the result would be quite favorable for Sarkisian as well, hoping to get to 10 wins on the 2025 season.