All the different versions of Steve Sarkisian aren't doing any favors for the Texas offense

Steve Sarkisian the head coach hasn’t done much to help Steve Sarkisian the offensive play-caller in 2025.

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The overall O-line picture is bleak in a season the Longhorns entered as the No. 1 team in the country. Texas saw four O-linemen from the 2024 squad depart including three draft picks. Texas, Sarkisian, and offensive coordinator Kyle Flood banked on their ability to develop third- or fourth-year players or top-50 talents to make things happen for Arch Manning in his first year as the starter. That’s a noble desire and probably goes over well on the recruiting trail, which is important. But their inability to identify the O-line as a potential pitfall, and refusing to bring in a portal O-lineman as a result, has the Texas offense in dire straits despite a 5-2 record.

Much of that holds true when it comes to the Texas running back room. Sarkisian placed trust in CJ Baxter coming off an injury and Quintrevion Wisner after a standout 2024 season. He hoped for more from Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson, and James Simon. None of those backs have been anything close to game-breaking or game-changing..

The Longhorns could not run the ball against Kentucky. They really haven’t run the ball with meaningful success all season save for what can now be considered a blip against Oklahoma. Texas’ sack-adjusted rushing total versus Kentucky was 71 yards. Sarkisian’s offense looks awful if there’s no run game to speak of, whether via Wisner or Manning at this point. The lack of an offensive line or running back room that can accomplish a semblance of what Sarkisian hopes to achieve on offense is on Sarkisian. Free agency exists and he did not make the call to bring any help in for an all-important Manning season under center whether in the trenches or in the RB room.

Even so, Steve Sarkisian the play-caller isn’t doing Steve Sarkisian the head coach any favors.

Every play-caller has certain calls he’d like back. Sarkisian has been candid about how his toss play on the goal line during the 2025 Cotton Bowl is one that fits in that category. That comes with the territory.

Yesterday was a game Sarkisian would like to have back. After seemingly finding a groove with the outside zone scheme against Oklahoma, the run game was anything but a focus against Kentucky. Some grace is due because Sarkisian had to utilize a backup center. However, to abandon an identity that seemed to be forming in Dallas on the road and place the game in the hands of his erratic quarterback was a decision that Sarkisian the play-caller thought would help Sarkisian the head coach. That wasn’t the case.

Manning has not proven consistent enough to have that trust quite yet. A 12-for-27 night for 132 yards was indicative of the grab-bag play-calling Sarkisian utilized on Saturday. Manning’s average depth of target per Pro Football Focus was 6.4 yards. He had one attempt with a target 20 or more yards downfield. Sarkisian not only struggled to get his offense to establish a run game, his offense failed to threaten different parts of the field. Manning had less than a handful of throws to targets outside the numbers against Kentucky, according to PFF. The picture was remarkably straightforward for the Wildcats defense. Everything was in front of them. There was no real challenge to Mark Stoops‘ scheme.

Of course, the players are the one asked to carry out the calls. But the calls Sarkisian gave Manning and the rest of his offense didn’t do much to work around Texas’ obvious weaknesses.

As a result, the Longhorn special teams and defense needed to turn in heroic efforts Saturday night. The stat sheet won’t be kind to Texas’ defense considering Kentucky gained 395 yards and held the ball for almost 40 minutes. But the scoreboard is what matters in football and Texas’ defense made a critical goal line stand in overtime to set up a chance at victory. Sarkisian’s offense tried to squander it, but Mason Shipley rounded out a good night for the Longhorns’ special teams units by nailing a 45-yarder to win it.

Credit is due to the head coach in Sarkisian for putting together a defense and special teams that can win football games in spite of poor evenings from the play-caller.

But it’s a troubling trend for a football program when the head coach and the play-caller are the same person, and neither have helped Texas approach some of the team’s preseason expectations whether lofty or reasonable.