The Texas Longhorns’ recent struggles against the Georgia Bulldogs have raised concerns about head coach Steve Sarkisian’s ability to overcome the formidable challenge posed by Kirby Smart’s team. In the past 13 months, the Longhorns have suffered three defeats at the hands of the Bulldogs, each with significant consequences. The first loss resulted in the Longhorns’ removal from the No. 1 ranking, while the second cost them the SEC championship. These setbacks have forced the Longhorns to play in the College Football Playoff’s first round, contributing to a series of injuries that reduced their margin of error in the Cotton Bowl loss to the Buckeyes. The latest defeat, a 35-10 rout in Athens, saw the Bulldogs score 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, a performance that Sarkisian described as a “disaster.”
The Longhorns’ struggles against Smart’s Georgia program are not unique. With the demise of Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty, Georgia has emerged as college football’s premier team. This shift has been acknowledged by Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who believes that dynasties are a thing of the past, especially with the SEC’s expanded schedule and the impact of NIL, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing. Sarkisian, while respecting Kiffin’s opinion, highlights Smart’s consistent success in Athens, noting the Bulldogs’ impressive record of 106-15 since Smart’s debut in 2016, including back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022. Even a three-loss season in 2024, which included an SEC championship, was considered a disappointment.
Sarkisian’s own program faces challenges in matching the Bulldogs’ success. Despite consistently stellar recruiting classes, including the No. 1 class for 2025, the Longhorns’ blue-chip ratio of 78% falls short of Georgia’s 84%. The Bulldogs’ execution in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a 21-point lead, showcased the difference in performance between the two teams. Sarkisian’s post-game analysis revealed a series of self-inflicted wounds, including a failed coverage play and a mental mistake by a key player, which contributed to the Longhorns’ inability to translate their preparation into execution.
The special teams unit, led by coach Jeff Banks, also faced scrutiny for a fake punt execution gone wrong in the SEC Championship game, which resulted in a go-ahead field goal for Georgia. The Longhorns’ overall performance, including poor red-zone defense and a lack of discipline on defense, has raised concerns about their ability to compete consistently at the highest level. Sarkisian acknowledges the need for a comprehensive review of the program’s strengths and weaknesses during the offseason, emphasizing the importance of playing all 60 minutes and executing effectively across all phases of the game.