Sarkisian's patience pays off as Texas' depth grows

Texas entering its first season in the SEC with a legitimate chance at making a run at a national title demonstrates the success of coach Steve Sarkisian's rebuilding effort. The Longhorns have the country's best quarterbacks room and have recruited heavily without sacrificing character for talent. However, they will need to replace their top five receivers in yards and face a challenging SEC schedule. The team's win at Alabama last season gave them a confidence boost, and Sarkisian was rewarded with a four-year contract extension.

Texas is the only team in the country that will play the past three national champions this season, including Georgia (2021, 2022) and Michigan (2023). The Longhorns return four of five starting offensive linemen and have been meticulous in using the transfer portal to add speed and experience at wide receiver and depth at defensive tackle. The team's discipline and culture have improved under Sarkisian, with Sarkisian calling himself a "culture pirate" who steals ideas from successful companies. However, the team has had some incidents, with standout defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat arrested for driving under the influence and suspended from the team for conduct detrimental to the program. Overall, Texas's recent success and cultural shift have given players and coaches optimism for the future.