Steve Sarkisian, the politician? With a spot in the CFP at stake, he's taken on that role

There has always been and will always be a significant amount of media focused on Longhorn football. An entire network essentially dedicated to the Texas football program has existed over the past decade. But with even more media attention on Texas now that the Longhorns are in the College Football Playoff hunt, head coach Steve Sarkisian is utilizing media focus to advocate for his team.

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Sarkisian was on SportsCenter Tuesday afternoon ahead of the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings release to discuss the Big 12 Championship matchup with dedicated college football fan Matthew Barrie.

Barrie gave Sarkisian a chance to advocate for his team’s place in the four-team playoff should his team prevail over Oklahoma State on Saturday. While Sarkisian hasn’t campaigned at every single turn, he did so during this opportunity.

“I like our resume,” Sarkisian said. “Clearly, I think our strength of schedule speaks for itself. I think we played quality opponents from our non-conference schedule all the way through our conference schedule.”

Sarkisian is referencing a No. 13 strength of schedule ranking and a No. 6 strength of record ranking per ESPN’s own Football Power Index.

Of course, Sarkisian mentioned the win over Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, one he calls the best win in the country this year.

“To me, and I say this because I was at Alabama, to go into Tuscaloosa, Ala. and win by 10 points where they were 59-2 in the last 61 games, and the only other team to beat them was Joe Burrow and LSU? I think that speaks for itself,” Sarkisian said. “I think to the versatility and depth of our team.”

On Thursday during his regular Zoom with the media, Sarkisian fielded a question about having to advocate for an 11-1 team considering the crowded CFP field. He said he’d be doing his players a disservice if he didn’t.

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

It’s not just Sarkisian doing it on Texas’ behalf. Minutes after the committee ranked Oregon No. 6, one place ahead of the Longhorns, longtime director of UT media relations John Bianco took to X to point out certain details related to the Longhorns’ 57-7 win over Texas Tech.

Heard CFP discussion about common opponents, was curious so hit refresh on Oregon vs Texas Tech. Only difference in that game was Red Raiders failed 2-point conversion with Ducks ahead 31-30 with 1:10 remaining. Tech threw a pick-6 with 35 seconds left in the 38-30 loss.

— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) November 29, 2023

The Longhorns haven’t had to do much playoff politicking in the last few years, but they’ve found themselves in a position where it’s necessary. Despite Sarkisian’s request for help from the local media, there’s no guarantee that the Austin press corps or any other press corps will oblige. Hence the increased campaigning for the Longhorns from the Longhorns themselves.

Plus, other coaches are doing the same for their programs, including coaches of teams vying with Texas for one of the four spots.

“I think the SEC is one of the best conferences in the country,” Saban said Thursday. “I think Georgia is one of the best teams in the country. I think they’re one of the best four teams in the country. I think if we beat them, we’d be one of the best four teams in the country.”

That’s a big ‘if,’ just as the Longhorns beating Oklahoma State remains an ‘if.’ But if it happens, Sarkisian is prepared to further advocate for his team on shows like ESPN’s College Football Final if that’s the added measure needed to convince the CFP selection committee.

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Said Sarkisian during his SportsCenter appearance, “what I do know is we’ve got to take care of business Saturday, then hopefully you guys can have me on Saturday night then I can really start campaigning.”