Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is glad his team is opening the season with a road trip to Ohio State.
He believes the matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Coaches Poll is “great for college football,” describing it as an “epic matchup.” Sarkisian knows his team is in for a big challenge trying to earn a win in the Shoe, especially after the Longhorns’ loss to Ohio State in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, but he views the big test to start the season as a net positive, believing both teams will ultimately be rewarded for playing each other to start the season.
In his press conference Monday afternoon, Sarkisian also talked about his respect for Ryan Day, why he doesn’t expect big changes from the Buckeyes under their new coordinators, how Texas is preparing for the game and his scouting report of Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.
A quick recap of everything Ohio State-related Sarkisian had to say:
- Sarkisian described Ohio State vs. Texas as an “epic matchup” that’s “great for college football.”
- “The fanfare, the excitement around this game, I think is great for our sport.”
- “These are two really good teams. Ton of respect for Ohio State, ton of respect for Ryan Day and the job he’s done,” Sarkisian said.
- Sarkisian said beating Ohio State will be a “tall task,” but he thinks it serves Texas well to face an immediate road test in Week 1. He said the Longhorns believe in their process on the road, noting that they’ve won 11 straight regular-season road games.
- Sarkisian said Texas is trying to stay focused this week on the details and what they need to do rather than on the fanfare surrounding the game.
- On the Cotton Bowl: “That was last year’s team – different team, different people, different personnel.” He said it stung and he used it as motivation for the team this offseason when he felt they needed it, “but at the end of the day, this is a new challenge, a new journey, new mission that we’re on.”
- On Julian Sayin: “Julian’s a really good player. He’s a natural passer. He’s got a quick release. He’s a better athlete than you think; he can run, so we definitely need to be alert to that and ready for that.”
- Sarkisian said he felt Ryan Day “hired a head coach for the defense” by hiring Matt Patricia as Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator. “I think it was a great addition for them.”
- Texas has simulated crowd noise in practice to prepare for playing in Ohio Stadium. He thinks the players have handled that well and that it’s helped the team stay focused.
- Sarkisian expects Texas left tackle Trevor Goosby to play this weekend after missing time in camp with an injury.
- Sarkisian doesn’t expect big schematic changes from Ohio State despite its two new coordinators, noting the Buckeyes’ success last season. “Why would you change? … They’re gonna evolve, just like we evolve every year, but I think the premise of who they are in all three phases is gonna remain really consistent.”
- Asked what he learned about Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Sarkisian replied, “They’re really good. Ryan’s done a great job recruiting, and they’re really well-coached. They’re not a gimmick team at all. … The things that they do are sound.” Sarkisian said Texas has to minimize mistakes, “because good teams capitalize on those mistakes,” noting how costly Texas’ turnovers were in last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal loss.
- This weekend will be Sarkisian’s first time at Ohio Stadium. “It should be a great environment. I’m looking forward to it.”
- Sarkisian thinks Ohio State and Texas will “get rewarded” by the College Football Playoff selection committee for playing this game. “I don’t think either us or Ohio State, for that matter, is going to get punished for playing in this game from a CFP standpoint.”
