CBS Sports: Steve Sarkisian's defining moment at Texas has arrived as No. 1 Ohio State comes to town

[Blake Munroe]

No. 4 Texas has spent the past five years building towards this moment, the culmination of the Steve Sarkisian era in Austin. 

Following the inconsistent results of the 2010s, Texas has wholeheartedly embraced the NIL era. They landed many of the state's best players, including defensive end Colin Simmons. They added the most sought-after status symbol in football: A Manning. 

On Saturday, No. 1 Ohio State comes to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. It's the third straight season the Longhorns have played the Buckeyes, and both prior meetings ended in terrible, frustrating losses marred by coaching and execution errors. 

Since 2024, Texas has played championship-level programs Ohio State and Georgia five times. Sarkisian is 0-5 against Ryan Day and Kirby Smart over that stretch. The Longhorns are 24-1 against everyone else. 

Saturday is a pivotal opportunity for Texas to prove it can contend with the best. It's the defining game of the Sarkisian era, and one Sarkisian cannot afford to lose. 

Full article: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/steve-sarkisian-defining-moment-texas-ohio-state/

[Gerry Hamilton]

Huge game for Sark from a perception standpoint for sure. 

[Assistant Regional Manager]

Shehan Jeyarajah writes for CBS? Is he still defending Art Briles?

The term ‘defining moment’ is used too loosely in this sport. If Texas wins Saturday but misses the playoff, it’s okay because Sark won his defining moment? If they win Saturday it’s all good next time he faces Georgia? No pressure at all if he reaches the playoff since the defining moment already happened?

Edited 21 minutes ago by Assistant Regional Manager