It’s not as big as it was a few weeks ago, but the Texas Longhorns -Ole Miss matchup on Saturday will still have plenty at stake.

The stakes aren’t just winning and staying alive in Texas's College Football Playoff hunt; they're also a proof-of-concept game for head coach Steve Sarkisian .

The now-sixth-year head coach is enduring his most embattled time on the Forty Acres, amid a two-game losing streak that threatens to implode the very season many expected him to win big in.

As calls to relinquish his offensive play-calling duties grow, Sarkisian remains steadfast in his belief that he is the man for the job. Saturday could have massive implications for that going forward if the result goes the other way.

Sarkisian Isn’t Wrong

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian prepares to lead his team onto the field to start the college football game against Texas on Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.…