Which Longhorns Are Facing MAJOR Pressure in This Season? | Texas Football | Steve Sarkisian

Summary

Podcast Summary: Top 5 Longhorns Facing MAJOR Pressure in 2026

Podcast: On Texas Football
Host: Bobby Burton
Guests: Jerry Hamilton, Rod Babers
Episode Date: July 30, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode dives into which Texas Longhorns—both players and coaches—are under the most pressure heading into the 2026 football season. Bobby Burton, Jerry Hamilton, and Rod Babers break down their top five, analyzing not just the expectations on the field, but also the weight of leadership roles and the stakes for coaches in what might be the most pivotal season in years.

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Episode Overview

The panel ranks the five Longhorns (including coaches) under the most pressure for 2026, discussing the reasoning, expectations, and context for each. They examine the intersection of individual performance, leadership, team chemistry, and the season's remarkable schedule challenges. Notably, the list spans from emerging young leaders and crucial transfers to foundational elements like the offensive line and, ultimately, Steve Sarkisian himself.

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Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments

#5: Jelani McDonald – Safety, Defensive Leader

Segment Starts: [01:57]

• Why McDonald?

  • Entering his second full year as a starter, McDonald is poised to lead a young but talented secondary.
  • He’s expected to step up into the “old guard,” shifting from just playing well to orchestrating the defense and setting the unit’s tone.

• Pressure Points:

  • Texas faces elite offenses and quarterbacks early (Julian Sayin in Week 2), so McDonald must help organize and motivate a secondary with minimal adjustment time.
  • He’ll be asked to play multiple roles in Will Muschamp’s new schematic setup, demanding on-field versatility and off-field leadership.

• Rod Babers on Leadership:

  • “He is, actually. And I do remember 2002 was kind of my year where I felt like...I can take ownership of this room. Right. I’m the leader of this room. So the young guys will look to me as to what we’re going to do...” [03:49]
  • “I've talked to Jelani...He’s really looking forward to being the leader in that secondary and being that voice of leadership....But you do need help. You’re going to need some other guys to step up with you.” [04:55]

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#4: Kyle Flood – Offensive Line Coach

Segment Starts: [05:37]

• Key Pressure:

  • The offensive line (and especially the left guard position) struggled last season with cohesion and identity.
  • Flood must rapidly integrate a lineup that gelled late last year but now needs to be high-functioning from Game 1 (Ohio State looms in Week 2).

• Stakes:

  • Protecting Arch Manning, “maybe the most valuable asset in all of college football,” is paramount as he was one of the most pressured QBs nationally last year.
  • The line must develop a clear identity and physical edge, or risk dropping key games early given the brutal schedule.

• Quotes:

  • Rod Babers: “You had the most pressure allowed in the country at the left guard position in all of football, according to Pro Football Focus. So yeah, that's an issue. Got to fix that. But...you got to also add some physicality to this offensive line.” [07:04]
  • Jerry Hamilton: “I really think...Texas fans want to see the offensive line physically go win a football game at the point of attack. And that normally happens against a top 10 opponent or on the road in the SEC. I think that's what Texas fans are looking for.” [08:30]
  • Bobby Burton: “We can't wait to the second week in October this year to figure it out. We got to be good out of the gate.” [10:31]

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#3: Gianni Spedic – Kicker (Transfer from Memphis)

Segment Starts: [10:51]

• Context & Pressure:

  • Spedic takes over after Mason Shipley, who was flawless from 30-49 yards last season.
  • With potentially five or more one-score games on the schedule, the new kicker could directly influence the Longhorns' national title hopes.

• Biggest Test:

  • His first pressure kick is expected to be against powerhouse Ohio State, in front of 100,000+ fans.
  • Pressure peaks in late, high-stakes SEC road games (e.g., at LSU, Tennessee, or Texas A&M).

• Quotes:

  • Jerry Hamilton: “His first pressure kick as a Longhorn is going to come in DKR when Ohio State’s in the building...If you look at this schedule, I think his right foot, he is going to trot out on the field two or three times with games in the balance on this schedule. That’s a lot of pressure for a kicker.” [11:48]
  • Rod Babers: “You could have five to six one-score games...your kicker’s probably going to determine half if not all of those...So there’s no doubt a ton of pressure on this young man...” [13:54]
  • Jerry Hamilton: “There’s a scenario...he has the most pressure of anybody on this team. You’re 9-2, you’re at A&M, he comes on to kick the game winner to send you to the playoffs or end your playoff hopes. He has more pressure on him than any other Texas player for about a 45 second period.” [14:56]

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#2: Arch Manning – Quarterback

Segment Starts: [15:25]

• Why the Pressure?

  • Manning, the face of the Texas program and college football’s most hyped QB, enters with both immense expectations and the weight of every Texas fan’s playoff hopes.
  • His performances—especially against Ohio State—will set the narrative for the season and possibly define his career.

• Key Dynamics:

  • The legacy and media pressure on Manning are compounded by comparisons with family members and last year's adversity (struggles early, bounce-back late).
  • Now, with more offensive weapons and preparation, he must not only be “the bus driver”, but elevate the program in pivotal moments.

• Quotes:

  • Jerry Hamilton: “The outcome of that [Ohio State] game leading up to that games, when his pressure starts...It’s going to go even higher. If you win now, you’re the Heisman favorite...If you lose, it’s going to be bad.” [16:26]
  • Rod Babers: “For this young man, pressure is a privilege. Right. Because...he’s part of the first family of football...But he’s definitely got more pressure than any Manning before him in college football at this time.” [18:17]
  • Bobby Burton: “I thought throughout the season he proved he could be a bus driver...But then he stepped up a couple times and played elite when they needed elite...I think this year the pressure on him is to step up and be elite when the team needs him to be elite and more than just a bus driver.” [20:10]

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#1: Steve Sarkisian – Head Coach

Segment Starts: [21:39]

• Crux of the Pressure:

  • After consecutive playoff appearances, expectations for Sark to break through nationally—in the College Football Playoff, SEC, and against elite coaches—are at their peak.
  • He's orchestrated a team loaded with talent, reshaped his staff (with the addition of Will Muschamp), and faces arguably the toughest schedule in the country.

• What Must He Deliver?

  • Fans expect more than explosive offense—they want an elite, clutch unit (points, third down, red zone efficiency); anything less is considered falling short.
  • As the highest paid state employee, the onus is on Sark to deliver titles, not just competitive teams.

• Quotes:

  • Rod Babers: “I think Longhorn fans are waiting to see that elite offense from Sark here at Texas...For Sark right now, I want to see an elite offense. It should be a top 15, top 10 offense in terms of points, which would obviously be the best offense he’s had.” [22:31]
  • Jerry Hamilton (on pressure compared to Sark): “The only guy with more pressure than Steve Sarkisian is the guy that delivers Dasani water bottles before the September home games.” [24:23]
  • Bobby Burton: “Steve Sarkisian should have the most pressure on him. He’s the one making $11 million a year...You can’t fire the quarterback...but you can fire the coach. The head football coach in college football is the highest paid guy on the team. And so he shoulders the most responsibility.” [26:36]

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Top Five Longhorns Under Pressure: Recap Table

| Rank | Name/Position | Role/Reason for Pressure | Timestamp | |------|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | 1 | Steve Sarkisian | Head Coach; titles and legacy on the line after major investment | 21:39 | | 2 | Arch Manning | Quarterback; faces sky-high expectations, must perform in big games | 15:25 | | 3 | Gianni Spedic | Kicker (Memphis transfer); responsible for critical game moments | 10:51 | | 4 | Kyle Flood | O-Line Coach; must fix glaring holes & unite group immediately | 05:37 | | 5 | Jelani McDonald | Safety, defensive leader; must quarterback young secondary | 01:57 |

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Closing Thoughts

The episode's tone is both analytical and passionate, reflective of lifelong Texas football devotees determined to set high standards for each new season. The hosts agree that while individual pressure differs in impact and length—a kicker’s nerve-wracking one-minute, a quarterback’s season-long scrutiny, and a coach’s legacy in the making—no one escapes the urgency and weight that comes with expectations in 2026.

Memorable Moment:

• “The only guy with more pressure than Steve Sarkisian is the guy that delivers Dasani water bottles before the September home games.” – Jerry Hamilton [24:23]

Final Word:
Pressure is privilege; 2026 will forge new heroes, test legacies, and perhaps, finally, deliver on Texas’s promise.

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Transcript

[Bobby Burton]

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[Jerry Hamilton]

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[Rod Babers]

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[Bobby Burton]

Five Longhorns with the most pressure heading into 2026. This is State of the program on on Texas football brought to you by our friend Adam Lowy, the Lowy Law Firm. I'm Bobby Burton. He's Jerry Hamilton and Rod Babers. Guys, five Longhorns with the most pressure and we're going to count it down from five to one. Let's start at number five. Jelani McDonald is our pick, the safety out of Waco county and is entering his second full year as a starter. Although he's seen action really beginning as a sophomore. Rod and Jerry. I'll start with you, Jerry. Why was he our pick?

[Jerry Hamilton]

This.

[Bobby Burton]

This for this number five spot.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Look, he is the While Grayson Littleton is returning. He was a freshman. Jolie McDonald had a little more experience than him. He is the returning secondary player with the Most experience that is now expected to step into a leadership role. Are you prepared to step into a leadership role and take that by the horns? Yes. Podcast. I said it. And run the secondary.

[Rod Babers]

Yeah.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Because we've seen Ja Baron do it. We've seen Michael T. Do it. We've seen guys before when Rod played and guys on national championship teams do it. Is Jelani McDonald truly prepared to take that task on? I think. I think as a player, we know he's going to be good, but when you. Then you're. You're a good player. Oh, but now here's the leadership piece. Yeah. And you have to direct the whole secondary room. Are you ready to do it?

[Bobby Burton]

Hey, Rod, to Jerry's point, you've been in secondaries where there's been that progression where, where you went from the young buck to the old, old guard. What is that like? And, you know, is there really a lot of pressure on Jelani McDonald? Is he deserving of this number five spot in your opinion?

[Rod Babers]

He is, actually. And I do remember 2002 was kind of my year where I felt like, as the. The veteran of the secondary and, you know, one of the better players on the team, that, hey, I can take ownership of the. Of this room. Right. I'm the leader of this room. So the young guys will look to me as to what we're going to do before practice, after practice, who's going to be setting up these meetings outside of practice, film watching sessions, team bonding, team building. All that stuff actually falls on the leadership. Are we going to dinner every night around this time to hang out as a team, hang out as a family. And I remember taking on that responsibility in 02, and I remember looking forward to it because I watched guys like Quentin Jammer before me. You know, my Brooks was in that secondary before me. I watched a lot of guys who have been really good leaders, Greg Brown before me. And I think that's the case for Johnny McDonald. I've actually talked to Jelani McDonald about this. He's. He's really looking forward to being the leader in that secondary and being that voice of leadership. He learned from some great leaders like Michael Tab and like J. Baron. You just brought up Andrew Makuba, so I have no doubt and I've talked to him. He's got a really high football iq, but there's no doubt there's a ton of pressure on this young man. New system, mushroom system is going to try to weaponize him. So you're going to see him moved around even more. You're Going to see him in the single high, you're going to see him in the two high, you're going to see him in the box, you're going to see him as a spot high, you're gonna see him blitzing, you're gonna see him totally unleashed in this must champ defense. So I do think that's a new responsibility for him because it's going to be more obligations on the field, but also off the field as the leader of this secondary. This is a young man that I think is ready to relish in this role. But you do need help. You're gonna need some other guys to step up with you. I had Nathan Basher stepping up with me, young Michael Huff, young Cedric Griffin. He's got some young talented guys too. Got to make sure that all those guys are rowing the boat right in the same direction, if you will.

[Bobby Burton]

Cade Phillips. One of the things we need to mention too, the importance and why we say Jelani McDonald has so much pressure on him, the quality of offenses and quarterbacks Texas will face throughout the season. But if especially on the front end of this, this schedule, not only do they have Julian saying in week two, but they've got two non BCS or non power four conference quarterbacks that are really talented. And so they've got to be ready to go out of the gate. McDonald in that secondary and as the leader of it, a lot of pressure on him to help put that together. All right, number four guys. I'm going with Kyle Flood to, to put I. We said Longhorns, not Longhorn players. So to be to be clear, I think Kyle Flood has some pressure on him after last year's performance where the first six games they just didn't look very good. We, we thought about going just specifically with left guard. Here is pressure, but we didn't know who the left guard was going to be. And so I think the pressure is extremely on Kyle Flood to get a cohesive unit and put it out there. We talked with Brian Robeson this morning on Coffee and Football. He mentioned it as well. Rod, I'm going to start with you on this. Your thoughts on the pressure on Kyle flood heading into 2026.

[Rod Babers]

Yeah, I agree with that. Right. And obviously left guard was the most problematic position on that offensive line. And no matter who played left guard for Texas, actually you had the most pressure allowed in the country at the left guard position in all of football, according to Pro Football Focus. So yeah, that's an issue. Got to fix that. But yeah, you got to also add some Physicality to this offensive line. Right. That's something that they were lacking that last year in the run. And you're protecting maybe the most valuable asset in all of college football in Orange Manning. And he was the sixth most pressured quarterback in the country last season. So they, they didn't have anything they could hang their hat on as an offensive line last year. What were they really good at last year? I think they got better. They got better as season went on, there's no doubt about that. But do you have a strength, Is there an identity with this offensive line? And I think that's what they got to get to something that they can do really well. And I don't think they did anything really well last season. So, yeah, a lot of pressure on Kyle Flood specifically to fix that left guard spot. Because it's such a hellasis schedule. You don't really have time for the groin pains. The growing pains are going to cost you a loss that you really cannot afford on this schedule because you can't have three losses and then, you know, expect to make the College Football Playoff. So I think you got to jail early and that's a problem because you haven't had all these guys together during the spring. You have to do that in training camp and you have to do it quickly. So Kyle Flood, not in my opinion, probably his most challenging year so far since he's been here in Texas, no doubt.

[Bobby Burton]

Jerry, what do you think about number four being Kyle Flood?

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah, no, I mean, I, I think that's a. It's a. It's a solid pick. I think, Look, I think what Rod hit and it's so. It's so interesting to me, creating physicality on an offensive line. Is it personnel or is it scheme or is it both? But I think what. Wherever you come out on that discussion, I, I really think one of the things that needs to happen for this Texas team this year, whether it be the Ohio State game, whether it be. Look, they've had their moments against Oklahoma the last two years. Whether it's Oklahoma again, if this is a. The best team Venables has had, whether it's a road game at Tennessee, I think there's a game that, that we need to see. Texas fans want to see the offensive line physically go win a football game at the point of attack go win a football game. And that normally happens against a top 10 opponent or on the road in the SEC. I think that's what Texas fans are looking for.

[Bobby Burton]

I. And you know, to Yalls point, I think that they did well against Oklahoma last year, right? Well enough, I guess. And then A and M the second half, I felt like they did dominate him. Yep. And so I, I think the pressure is on Kyle Flood for. Look, he's had some good offensive lines at Texas, recruited well, it done a lot of good things. They went to two semifinals. You don't do that with bad offensive line play. So let's, let's set that out, Jerry. And also set aside Jerry's comment about is it scheme that, that the wide zone that kind of makes them less physical at times. I, I agree. The thing that I think bothered most Texas fans last year, Rod said use the term gel. I think it's cohesiveness. Like it felt like the first six weeks they didn't look like a unit. Now maybe that's because they were cycling through Connor Stroh, Nick Brooks, any fish

[Jerry Hamilton]

you wish it left guard, first time starter at center. Yeah.

[Bobby Burton]

Yeah. And so, you know, I think that that's why the pressure's on Kyle Flood this year is to get it right out of the gate as opposed to, hey, we can't, we don't have six weeks to figure this out. We can't wait to the second week in October this year to figure it out. We got, we got to be good

[Rod Babers]

out of the gate.

[Bobby Burton]

And so I, I think that's why there's some pressure. Jerry, I'm going to go back to you for number three because this is one that you always harp on. Our number three Longhorn under pressure. Gianni Spedic, transferred in from Memphis, is replacing who was perfect last year from 30 to 49 yards. Special teams, you win a lot of games and you lose a lot of games with them. Texas did it last year. I mean, Ryan Niblett alone, but Mason Shipley was terrific. Gianni Spedic has a bigger leg, but is he as accurate? I think that's, that's where the pressure comes in. And can you hit a 45 yard field goal in the fourth quarter in the cotton? If you could answer that question for me right now, you and I would be, you know, we'd be, we'd have a better read, I think on this Texas team.

[Jerry Hamilton]

I mean, look, Gianni Spadex first pressure kick as a Longhorn is going to come in DKR when Ohio State's in the building somehow, some way, whether it's at the end of the half to put you up, whether it's at the end of the third quarter to get to maybe cut a cut, a deficit, maybe it's a game Winner. You walk out. His first pressure kick. It's not going to be Texas State. If it is, things have gone very badly in the open. But his first pressure kick is going to be against Ohio State and decal somehow, some way we all know what's happening. And if you look at this schedule, I think his right foot, he is going to trot out on the field two or three times with games in the balance on this schedule. That's a lot of pressure for a kicker. Yeah, a lot of pressure for a kicker is never kicked at a historical program with a hundred thousand people in the stands every Saturday and expectations of playoffs and national championships. That's a lot of pressure on a guy that came from Memphis and I'm not saying he's not a good kicker.

[Bobby Burton]

How about in front of a hundred thousand people up in Knoxville?

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Bobby Burton]

Road.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yes.

[Bobby Burton]

When you, I mean Rob, what do you think of Spadeck? I think this is a natural pick. I mean he's following in the footsteps of a guy that was like we said, perfect from 30 to 49.

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[Rod Babers]

So you can and also you know how many one score games type games you're going to have on this schedule which supposed to be the toughest schedule that Stark's ever had here at Texas but also the toughest schedule in the country I believe. I looked at some of the Vegas books and they have Texas with I believe five one score games. Texas had five of those last season you had seven. I believe in the first two years that Sarko's here you could have five to six one score games. As Jerry pointed out, your kicker's probably going to determine half if not all of those one score games may even be trotting out there to give you a game winning kick of some sort. So there's no doubt a ton of pressure on this young man and I Agree with you. And I think, you know, those, those one score games that come down to clutch play in the fourth quarter. Also going to come down to clutch kicks in the fourth quarter. And you're going to some of the most hostile environments in all of the sec. You're at Tennessee. You're gonna be at LSU at a. M. So, Yeah, I don't. I don't feel sorry for the young man at all. I don't. I mean, I know he's probably got the nerves of steel. He's gonna need him for these games.

[Jerry Hamilton]

I want to say this. There's a scenario where there's people ahead of him, but he has the most pressure of anybody on this team. I'll throw a scenario. You're nine and two, you're at A. M. He comes on to kick the game winner to send you to the playoffs or injure playoff hopes. He has more pressure on him.

[Bobby Burton]

Yeah.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Than any other Texas player for about a 45 second period.

[Bobby Burton]

Well, I hope that right leg ain't shaken. I hope it's more like running.

[Jerry Hamilton]

That's pressure.

[Bobby Burton]

That's pressure.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah. All right.

[Bobby Burton]

Hey, before we go on to number two and number one on this most pressure heading into 2026 list, I want to say thank you to our sponsor, Adam Lowy over at the Lowy Law firm. If you've been injured in a car wreck, truck wreck, automobile accident of any kind, and think you might be due compensation, make sure you reach out to Adam and his firm. They'll give you a free no strings attached consultation to see if you are due compensation. Again, thank you so much to Adam for his ongoing sponsorship of on Texas football. Guys, number two. We debated for a little bit on this between two and one. Jerry, I've got to ask you. Arch Manning comes in at number two on the list. The weight of the world is on this young man's shoulders. Last year we saw it. It feels like some of that pressure has been removed with the way that he ended the 2020, 2025 season. But still ton of pressure he has to step up this year. What are your thoughts?

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah, it's not going to be the same preseason as it was last year. It's not going to be the same going into the Texas State game the following week. It's going to ramp back up for Ohio State. Just let's remember this conversation. It's not going to be the same preseason because he has a year under his belt. He played well against Michigan. It's going to ramp up again the week of Ohio State. Because people are going to talk about how he did not play well. They're going to. How many times is that first throw to DeAndre Moore that was 10 yards short going to be played leading up to the Ohio State game? A lot. Okay. That he didn't have a good game against Ohio State. It's going to ramp up starting week two for him against Ohio State, and then based on the results of that game, it's going to go even higher. If you win now, you're the Heisman favorite again and you're going to take Texas to the national championship. If you lose, it's going to be bad. I mean, there's going to be things written. The pressure is. So that game, the outcome of that game leading up to that games, when his pressure starts, the outcome of that game is really going to send, one way or the other, that pressure even to another level. He's got a lot of pressure. And look, I'm. I'm different on this. I'm not going into the season with Arch Manning.

[Bobby Burton]

Okay.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Your pressure is to win a national championship at Texas and go win the Heisman. Hell, Peyton and Eli never did that. The pressure is get Texas. For me, pressure is just, hey, you guys got to get to the playoffs.

[Bobby Burton]

Get. Get a lotto ticket. You gotta punch the lotto ticket, right?

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah. Get in and see what happens. Like Miami last year. That's the whole key. But that's not what's going to be written leading into the Ohio State game and then at post Ohio State game, no matter what, the outcome is a lot of pressure on Arch Manning.

[Bobby Burton]

Rod B, your. Your thoughts?

[Rod Babers]

Yeah. For this young man, pressure is a privilege. Right. Because, you know, he's part of the first family of football. So he does have some, you know, background to get acclimated to it. Like, he knows it. He knows where to go for counsel and advice about dealing with pressure of this sort. But he's definitely got more pressure than any Manning before him in college football at this time. And I think ultimately what he went through last year is going to help him. The fall from grace after the Ohio State game and then having to build up his confidence again and build up the trust with his teammates again. I think all those things are going to help him through this journey. No matter. No matter which way it goes. I'm assuming he's going to have success. But either way, like Jerry says, if you don't have success initially, then you're going to get all the. All the negative blowback about, oh, he's a bust Always not as good as everybody thought he was. He's not going to be number one overall, pick all that kind of stuff. But even if you do well and have success, still the pressure is going to come because now everybody's like, oh, man, he's better than advertised. He's going to win the Heisman. They're going to win the national title. So either way, he's going to be dealing with a ton of pressure. And I think what he went through last year, having, you know, the highs and the lows, I think emotionally going to help him, you know, be able to deal with whatever is awaiting him in 2026. So actually, you know, I know he's got a lot of pressure on him, but I think he is going to be well suited to deal with it. What are you talking about? Mentally, spiritually, I think he's well suited. And Sark did a good job. And, you know, obviously the staff did a good job of surround, surrounding him with weapons. Last season, a lot of that pressure and a lot of his, I would say, inability to achieve were due to, you know, the weapons around him or the lack of weapons around him. That is not the case this time around. He's got some of the best weapons in the country. And I think he'll. He'll live up to most of that hype because now Sark has surrounded him with some of the most explosive weapons in the country.

[Bobby Burton]

I. I'll just say this before we go on to our number one. The thing with Arch is last year I thought he proved he could be a bus driver. Just, I mean, you. Everybody wants him to be superstar number one. I thought throughout the season he proved he could be a bus driver. Not necessarily the greatest bus driver of all time and all this other stuff that people wanted to foist on him. But then he stepped up a couple times and played elite when they needed elite. I thought the second half of A M, I thought that he carried the team, in my opinion, in. In the Citrus bowl when everybody opted out. Right? So I think this year the pressure on him is to step up and be elite when the team needs him to be elite and more than just a bus driver. That third down throw to Parker Livingston against Oklahoma, that's elite when you needed it to be elite. The throw to Jack Injuries in the fourth quarter against A and M, that's elite. The throw to lock it in the fourth quarter against Michigan, that's elite when you needed it to be elite. He's going to have multiple situations this year that may even Be more high stakes. To Rod's point.

[Jerry Hamilton]

And Bobby, Bobby, to your point, Fernando Mendozas didn't come against the best team they played last year. Came against Penn State on the road and he was.

[Bobby Burton]

Fourth quarter against.

[Rod Babers]

He was.

[Bobby Burton]

Fernando Mendoza was money in the fourth quarter against Miami. Yeah, a couple of throws, a big run. All right. With, with, with Arch. I also want to say this. There's no doubt. I mean the saying goes, the team goes as the quarterback goes. That's gonna happen in 2026. But he's not our number one. Our number one actually is Longhorn. Steve Sarkeesian, can he get over the hump, the Ryan Day hump, the Georgia hump, the SEC championship hump. Can he get back to the College Football Playoff or was it just a two year run? Rod Babers, a lot of pressure on Sark. Even if he walks into this season with a lot of things lined up positive for him.

[Rod Babers]

Agreed. I think Longhorn fans are waiting to see that elite offense from Sark here at Texas. Elite in all the crucial critical categories. Right. You want explosive offense, so explosive plays. He should be one of the best offenses in the country. Top 10 and generating 20 plus short plays. We've seen that at Texas in 24 and in 23 you were top 10 there, but we haven't seen it yet in critical moments. Third down, you haven't had any lead. Third down offense here at Texas have not had. You did have an elite red zone offense, but that was with Bijan and Rojo. Now post Bijan and Rojo, we haven't seen that elite red zone offense from Sark either. So I think that's what I'm waiting to see this season because it seems like they have constructed the offense with enough personnel where, you know, it shouldn't have many limitations based on the personnel. Right. If this group's gonna have limitations, it's probably going to be based on the development of that personnel and the, the utilization of it. And for Sark right now, I want to see an elite offense. It should be a top 15, top 10 offense in terms of points, which would obviously be the best offense he's had. And I expect to be the most explosive or at least one of the most explosive offenses that he's had. You led the the country in explosive plays in 20 plus yard plays in 2024. Honestly, I expect this group to also be in that con year you were top five in turnover margin. I expect this group to also be really good in turnover margin and taking care of the football offensively. So I am expecting an elite offense from Sark. If you don't get the best offense that we've seen from Steve Sarkeesian in 2026 since he's been at Texas, something must have gone horribly wrong. And I'm knocking on wood because I don't know what that could have been, but something must have gone wrong because there is nothing that I can see right now that would project this offense to be lackluster or to. To be lacking in any way, form or fashion.

[Bobby Burton]

What do you think, Jerry? A lot of pressure on the ball, Coach.

[Jerry Hamilton]

The only guy with more pressure than Steve Sarkeesian is the guy that delivers Dasani water bottles before the September home games. Okay, that's a lot of pressure. That's a lot of pressure. Okay? Dasani guys keeping people from fainting in the stands. Sark is keeping people from fainting during the game. Okay, so Sark has a ton of pressure. Every look, we see it on our chats. Rod, Bobby, everybody does the searches. How many years did it take Jim Harbaugh, Kirby Smart, Dabo, Nick Saban, all these guys to win a conference championship, to win a national championship? Everybody knows the numbers. So you. And here's the thing with Sark, too, that I do. I love about where he, where he's headed this year. He's 100% accepting the pressure. He is sitting there saying, yeah, we're very talented roster. Everybody knows we're very talented roster. I brought Will Muschamp in to do this for us. Defensively, he's putting it all on the table. It feels like he knows that this is the. The pressure's amped up more than it ever has been at Texas. For Steve Sarkeesian, we're in the Arch era. It could be the last year of the Arch era. He brought in Will Muschamp as he thought he needed that to help him take the next step defensively in this conference. They had a great portal run and he's accepting of it all. So he knows where the pressure's at. And I think there's a. I think he is. I think he does have the most pressure in the Texas football program, and that's okay. He's the head coach and CEO of a big time brand at the University of Texas that has won one national title in 55 years. And the Texas fan base is really hungry for a shot at one more because the last time they had a chance, the quarterback got hurt against Alabama. And it's been a long time since 09.10. So there's a lot of pressure here for multiple reasons. And I love that he's been accepting of it. Bobby in the preseason.

[Bobby Burton]

Yeah. We saw him last week at SEC media days and he didn't shy. No, that's. That's how I would put it. I want to add this, Jerry. The final point you made. Look, Steve Sarkeesian should have the most pressure on him.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Bobby Burton]

He's the one making $11 million a year. That's how. That's college football. That's in college football. You don't fire the quarterback, you don't fire the. Off the offensive guard, you don't fire the safety, you don't fire the kicker. They may lose their jobs, but they're going to be part of the team. You can't. You don't release them. You know what I mean? They're still on the team. The head football coach in college football is the highest paid guy on the team. And so he shoulders the most responsibility. And so I have no problem with Sark being number one on this list. That being said, I. I agree with Jerry a hundred percent. I felt like. I felt like he had control of the. And understood the pressure and accepted it. And to Rod's point, you know, what is that pressure? We can break it down into microcosm of issues, whether that's red zone offense, you know, pass protection, big plays on offense that we've been waiting for and have seen it over time at Texas, but not necessarily last year. So look, I think that's a good five most biggest pressure on Longhorns this year. Just breaking it down again. Number five was Jelani McDonald. Number four, Kyle Flood, the offensive line, Gianni Spinnick, the new kicker from Memphis that transferred in Arch Manning, number two, and then Steve Sarkeesian at number one. All right, thank you very much, Rod. Thanks, Jerry. We appreciate you guys. Thank you. Also to our. To our sponsor, Adam Lowy over at the Lowy law firm, as well as our producer Matt Hutcherson. Guys, we'll be back a little bit later today with more from on Texas football. This has been stay the program.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Hook them on.

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