Paul Finebaum is no longer talking about Steve Sarkisian like a coach with plenty of time to work through Texas’ rough patch.
On Friday’s edition of Get Up, Finebaum shifted the focus from Arch Manning to Sarkisian’s future, saying the Longhorns’ matchup with Ole Miss could say plenty about where Texas is headed.
“I think this weekend is going to determine that, Greeny,” Finebaum said when asked about the stakes in the game against Ole Miss. “As big a game as this is for Arch Manning, and when it is over, I think he will have a better idea. I think it is even a bigger game for Sarkisian.
“If Texas loses this game, Sarkisian is the one with the bullseye on his back. Manning can figure out what he wants to do. Sarkisian may not have any runway left because that is how fast this fanbase can turn on him.”
Texas enters Saturday’s game in a far different place than it was just two weeks ago. The Longhorns were undefeated and sitting at No. 1 in the country heading into the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. They jumped out to a 17-7 lead and looked positioned for a statement win, but the Sooners stormed back for a 27-24 upset.
Last week brought another setback. Texas again built a double-digit lead, only to let it slip away in a home loss to unranked Florida.
Now the schedule offers no relief. Ole Miss comes in red-hot and looking like a real SEC contender, and another loss would leave Texas’ College Football Playoff hopes in serious trouble. It would also, as Finebaum suggested, put Sarkisian’s job security in the spotlight.
In Other News...
Arch Manning Added One More Twist To Ole Miss Loss
Texas win over Ole Miss came with a little postgame theater, thanks to Arch Manning and a sideline conversation that added another layer to an already notable night. The game was carried by ABCs top broadcast crew, with Holly Rowe on the sideline, and Manning used the moment after the final whistle to make a lighthearted pitch that she ought to be around more often when Texas takes the field.
It was a playful line, but it also carried a bit of history behind it, since Rowe, Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian were all part of a previous dustup that had already been smoothed over. Against Ole Miss, the whole exchange served as a reminder that even after the game ends, there can still be a little extra edge and a little extra entertainment attached to Texas football. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Showed Fight At Texas But One Problem Just Got Bigger
Ole Miss left Austin with a loss, but not without evidence that the seasons bigger questions are still alive. After trailing 24-3 at halftime, the Rebels regrouped and turned a rough afternoon into a game that mattered deep into the second half, even if Texas eventually escaped with a 34-27 win. The first half was the problem area, with the offense stuck in neutral and quarterback Chambliss throwing an interception as the Rebels struggled to get anything going.
The second-half response was the encouraging part, because Ole Miss showed the kind of fight that can keep a season from slipping away after an early deficit. Still, the loss comes with real weight, especially with important games ahead that could shape the Rebels playoff position. The comeback effort bought some credibility, but it also left one lingering concern: the margin for error is getting smaller. [Read more 🡒]
Kirk Herbstreit Had The Perfect Reaction To Ole Miss Wild Finish
Ole Miss made one of the most dramatic pushes of Week 8 against Texas, storming back to tie the game before the Longhorns answered with a late touchdown to finish it off. The Rebels rally included a recovered onside kick that instantly became one of the nights biggest moments, and Kirk Herbstreit was right there to capture the chaos from his seat.
Herbstreit later shared a video of his reaction, making clear he was rooting for the spectacle more than for either sideline. It was the kind of candid, live-on-the-spot moment that college football fans love from him, and it came with Herbstreit set to be back on College GameDay in Bloomington for Minnesota-Indiana in Week 9. [Read more 🡒]