Texas Coach Sarkisian Signals Potential Non-conference Scheduling Shift After CFP Snub
Orlando, FL - December 15, 2025 – Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has publicly addressed the program’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP) this season, signaling a potential overhaul of the team’s future non-conference scheduling strategy. speaking at media availability ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus bowl, Sarkisian emphasized the need for the CFP committee to consistently apply its stated criteria, especially regarding strength of schedule. This comes after a season where Texas finished with a 9-3 record, but was bypassed for an at-large bid despite a compelling case.
Sarkisian wasn’t shy about voicing his disappointment. He passionately argued that the Longhorns shouldn’t be penalized for proactively seeking challenging matchups,specifically pointing to their season-opening loss to Ohio State. The coach believes a willingness to test themselves against top competition should be rewarded, not held against them.
the Core of the Argument: Strength of Schedule & CFP principles
The crux of Sarkisian’s argument centers around the CFP’s own stated principles. He highlighted the committee’s emphasis on strength of schedule as a key evaluation factor.
“You look at the principles of the CFP. The first bullet point is strength of schedule. We need to honor the criteria,” Sarkisian stated. “If we can lay the foundation for that,than that will directly impact what we do moving forward.”
This year, however, Sarkisian feels the committee didn’t fully adhere to those principles. He doesn’t regret advocating for his team, believing they deserved consideration.
Honoring Existing Commitments,But Looking ahead
Despite the frustration,Texas will honor its existing agreements to host Ohio State in 2026 and travel to Michigan in 2027. These games where scheduled prior to the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule. Though, Sarkisian made it clear that the program will re-evaluate its long-term non-conference approach after these commitments are fulfilled.
Here’s a breakdown of the key considerations:
* Increased SEC Competition: With nine conference games annually, the margin for error is substantially reduced. Adding another Power Five opponent presents a considerable risk.
* CFP Committee Evaluation: Texas is closely watching how the committee values strength of schedule in the coming years. Will challenging non-conference games be a genuine asset, or will teams prioritize simply accumulating wins?
* The Value of Quality Wins: Sarkisian wants to know if the committee prioritizes overall record or the quality of opponents faced.
A Balancing Act: Risk vs. Reward
Sarkisian’s comments reflect a growing concern among coaches regarding the evolving landscape of college football. The expansion to a 12-team CFP has altered the dynamics, and programs are now carefully weighing the risks and rewards of scheduling tough non-conference opponents.
As Sarkisian pointed out after the Texas A&M victory, “Do you want us not to schedule Ohio State? becuase if we’re a 10-2 team right now, this isn’t a discussion. We’re in the playoff. But we were willing to go up there and play that game.”
Beyond Ohio state & Michigan: A look at Texas’ Recent Performance
While the Ohio State game drew significant attention, Texas’ overall body of work was also noteworthy.
* The Longhorns finished 6-1 in their final seven games.
* They boasted a 3-2 record against teams ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game.
* A loss to Florida may have been more damaging to their CFP hopes than the Ohio State defeat.
* Texas secured a dominant 31-12 road win at Michigan in 2024.
The Future of Texas Football Scheduling
Sarkisian is essentially calling for clarity and consistency from the CFP committee. He wants to understand what truly matters in the selection process.
“We’ve got a two-year snapshot now coming up of what is the committee really looking at?” he asked. “What do they value? if it’s just records, then everyone’s going to race to the best record.If it’s quality football teams and who are the best football teams,
Worth a look