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After a second consecutive embarrassing defeat—this time to unranked Florida—the Texas Longhorns are at a crossroads. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are under intense scrutiny, with the program's current trajectory raising serious concerns. The play-calling, quarterback performance, and overall roster construction have all fallen short of expectations, especially given the substantial financial investment in the team.
Sarkisian, one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, was handed a talent-rich roster but has seen it sputter. On Saturday, Texas became the first top-10 team since 2003 to squander a double-digit lead in consecutive weeks against unranked foes. The Longhorns led Florida 17-3 in the first half but watched the Gators chip away, capitalizing on Texas' stagnant offense. Now sitting at 4-2, Texas faces a daunting remaining schedule that includes matchups with No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 16 Mississippi State, No. 13 Missouri, and No. 22 LSU. According to CBS Sports' projections, the Longhorns' playoff odds have plummeted to 43 percent.
Key Analysis
In the short term, Sarkisian must address the offense's glaring deficiencies. Quarterback Arch Manning, once hyped as a potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick, appears far from that lofty projection. While capable of spectacular plays, Manning's confidence seems shaken, and his inconsistent play is hindering an offense that boasts playmakers like Ryan Wingo, Cam Coleman, and Hollywood Smothers. An SEC head coach told CBS Sports, 'Arch, you don't know what you're going to get. Whether it's good Arch or Dazed and Confused Arch.' Sarkisian acknowledged after the game that everything would be evaluated, including the quarterback position and play-calling. 'We're going to evaluate everything,' he said. 'Part of that is play-calling.'
Entering the Florida loss, Texas averaged just 3.66 yards per carry (117th nationally) and had the SEC's worst three-and-out rate at nearly 29 percent. Sarkisian's reputation as an offensive guru has taken a hit, and questions loom about whether he should relinquish play-calling duties. However, the bigger issue is the trustworthiness of the assistant coaches. Quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee and offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood have overseen units that are part of the problem, not the solution. Sarkisian's loyalty to long-tenured assistants like Milwee, Flood, and special teams coordinator Jeff Banks has hindered progress, and the staff's inability to develop five-star quarterbacks like Manning and Quinn Ewers is staggering.
A thorough overhaul of the offensive coaching staff is needed to inject new ideas and energy. This should be an offseason demand from athletic director Chris Del Conte if Sarkisian wants to remain head coach. Sarkisian's $50 million buyout is manageable for a program like Texas, giving Del Conte leverage to issue such an ultimatum. Material changes are also needed in roster construction, development, and coaching, as well as in how Sarkisian holds himself and his team accountable. Del Conte's strongly worded statement earlier this season indicated he is already monitoring this area closely. If Sarkisian is willing to change his ways and bring in a real offensive coordinator whom he empowers, there is a path to success in 2027. But if the stubborn coach doubles down and refuses to fire his friends, Del Conte must seriously consider whether Sarkisian is the right leader to elevate the program.
The 2024 season was a disappointment; 2025 has been worse, and the trajectory is growing more precarious. Can Sarkisian stop the bleeding and get Texas back on track? He will need to change to do so.
Ohio State Can Survive Sayin Injury
The Buckeyes suffered a significant blow when quarterback Julian Sayin went down with an arm injury in the fourth quarter of a 19-14 win over No. 5 Indiana. Coach Ryan Day said Sayin will be out 'several weeks' but provided no specifics. Losing a starting quarterback is never ideal, but Ohio State's victory over the Hoosiers provides a buffer. The Buckeyes' playoff odds improved to 89.4 percent, per CBS Sports' projections. If Sayin is sidelined for the next month—covering a bye week, a road trip to USC, and home games against Oregon and Northwestern—Ohio State can afford to go 2-1 in that stretch. Even without Sayin, the Buckeyes remain one of the most talented teams in the country, led by star receiver Jeremiah Smith, who could become the first receiver-only Heisman winner since Alabama's DeVonta Smith in 2020. The defense, under coordinator Matt Patricia, is allowing just 13.4 points per game. True freshman Luke Fahey looked overwhelmed in relief, going 0 for 2, but if Day sticks with him, the key will be limiting his responsibilities. With a stout defense, Fahey can manage the game, avoid mistakes, and rely on the run game and schemes to get Smith open. It might not be pretty, but Ohio State should remain in the playoff hunt.
Schiano Wins Embattled Big Ten Coach Bowl
In a matchup of two Big Ten coaches on the hot seat, Greg Schiano's Rutgers defeated Mike Locksley's Maryland, 37-30, in College Park. The game was far from a masterpiece, but Schiano secured a crucial win in his fight to keep his job. A victory over Maryland doesn't guarantee his survival, nor would a loss have ensured a firing given Rutgers' financial woes, but it keeps him on track for a potential return in 2027. Meanwhile, Locksley fell to 2-20 in Big Ten games since 2024. After back-to-back 4-8 seasons in 2024 and 2025, Locksley needed to reach at least seven wins in 2026 to remain head coach. While technically still possible, those around the program know it's unlikely given the team's performance. Maryland athletic director Jim Smith has preached patience, so Locksley may survive the weekend despite a 2-5 start. However, industry sources maintain that it's a matter of when, not if, Maryland moves on from Locksley. To date, no Power Four program has fired a head coach, which may reduce the urgency for schools like Maryland and Florida State to make a move. A year ago, UCLA and Virginia Tech sparked a firing spree as programs feared falling behind in coaching searches.
Originally reported by cbssports.