Texas enters the 2026 football season with high expectations for Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian begins his sixth season as the head football coach at Texas this Saturday with a game against Texas State. While the program has achieved three consecutive years of double-digit wins and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals twice, questions remain regarding his ability to win a national championship. Sarkisian has maintained a 7-1 record against rivals Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Arkansas but holds a 0-7 record against head coaches Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, and Kalen DeBoer. The current roster includes several projected first-round NFL draft picks, leading to speculation about the team's potential to reach the national title game in Las Vegas this January. Despite external scrutiny, the 2026 campaign is not considered a make-or-break year for the coach's employment status at the university.

• 7:00 PMYahoo Sports — It's not make or break for Steve Sarkisian, but Texas' 2026 season will answer important questions