What we want to hear ahead of the bye from Steve Sarkisian's weekly press conference

A bye week means two things: we can actually enjoy our Saturdays, and we’re getting an abbreviated press conference.

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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will give the players a break from us media-heads with no games to play this weekend, opting for a shorter presser with just the head man to talk to. He’ll hit the stand today at 11 A.M. for about 30 minutes.

For the second time this season, Texas enters a bye coming off its best offensive game to date. The Longhorns scored 34 points in three quarters against a top-ten team in Vanderbilt, with quarterback Arch Manning having his best game to date and the offense excelling in multiple facets.

The first question we have for Sark is an explanation of this quote:

God in heaven… https://t.co/ZoFrswAVaJ

— Captain Bruisin, cruise director (@Ian_A_Boyd) November 1, 2025

Texas clearly found its rhythm over the last two games because of the spread, 11-personnel-based offense. It has worked wonders in opening up the run and short-passing game while getting Texas’ best players on the field.

We’ve seen a significant uptick in production from nearly every offensive skill player. As Ian pointed out below that tweet, DeAndre Moore and Ryan Niblett need to be on the field more.

But it seems like Sarkisian is still stuck in his ways with the 12-personnel game. His original plan was to create mismatches with shifting tight ends to find explosives, while also staying bigger than the opponent.

My question is, why?

Texas’ roster is clearly better built for the spread. Manning is extremely comfortable in that style. Why make it harder on everyone? Why force inexperienced tight ends onto the field when your best playmakers start out wide?

Secondly, what is the level of intensity going to be in practice this week?

Texas is bruised, battered, and banged up. They were down to their fifth safety on Saturday. Multiple WRs were hurt. Some of these defenders have played over 200 snaps in the last three weeks.

The team is clearly in need of some rest, that will come, but how much is the correct amount?

Texas will play Georgia after the bye. The Longhorns have to find that balance between being healthy and fresh without being rusty or unprepared.

Lastly, are we going to get any personnel- or scheme-based hints about the final three games?

In general, I think we’ve gone past the point in the season where they’re trying to ramp up freshmen to get into the rotation. We saw more Justus Terry, Jonah Williams, and even Kaliq Lockett on Saturday, but I’m not sure that is going to matter in the grand scheme of things. There are at least five options ahead of all of them currently on the depth chart.

But what will Sark say about the offensive line? I hope the five we saw on Saturday is the one we see going forward. It would be idiotic to change that up.

What about in the secondary? That’s clearly been Texas’ weakest spot over the last two weeks. Michael Taaffe or not, they need a regroup.

Just how solidified is the top five in that group? After Saturday, should they cut down the rotation to keep the best five out there at all times? How are they feeling about Kobe Black and Xavier Filsaime?

Are they operating the scheme incorrectly, or is the scheme the problem? They aren’t doing anything new or out-of-the-ordinary in the last few games from the eye test, but they’re getting beaten often in front of deep coverages for 10-20 yards. Not to mention a terrible blown coverage to give Vanderbilt a chance late.

Outside of OL and the secondary, I imagine we know what we’re getting going forward. RB is a position that could use more juice, but that solution probably isn’t on the 2025 roster. Quintrevion Wisner is going to have to bell-cow for the second season in a row.

It’s going to be a light day in terms of content. Don’t expect him to deliver too much news, but keep an eye out for his tone and some specific content pieces as we enter the bye.