Longhorns Daily News: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian seems cautiously optimistic about likely 24-team CFP expansion

Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian has plenty on his plate to worry about at the moment.

Two consecutive losses, including a loss to the program’s arch-nemesis, the Oklahoma Sooners.

A floundering returning starter for a quarterback, and who has a celebrity last name, just to add to the pressure.

And now, during media appearances, questions about the College Football Playoff’s likely move to expand the field from 12 teams, as has been the model since the 2024 season, to 24 teams as early as the 2027 postseason.

Even so, Sarkisian seemed optimistic about the new format, despite expressing concern for the presumptive elimination of conference championship games, as the new 24-team model would likely require, if enacted.

“Opportunity is great,” Sarkisian said this week during a weekly Zoom call with reporter, per the Austin American-Statesman. “More teams get an opportunity to try to win a national championship.”

“Maybe you may have had to endure an injury or two,” Sarkisian continued. “Maybe your quarterback was out. You get them back, and now you’re healthy and you’re fresh and you’re better. Maybe it gives you an opportunity early in your season to play some younger players, knowing, hey, maybe we have a couple of losses that don’t want to lose. But your team can get better and play your best football at the end of the year with an opportunity to make a run.”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: How Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning, Texas football grade at midseason

Dallas Morning News: With season on brink, how can Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian revive Texas’ flatlining offense?

247Sports: The Insider: The Coach on Texas vs. Ole Miss and the enormous stakes for Sarkisian, Manning and the Longhorns

247Sports: Steve Sarkisian on what it would take for Texas football to bench Arch Manning: ‘It just depends’

247Sports: Steve Sarkisian says Texas will keep its home-and-home football series with Notre Dame in 2028 and 2029

Inside Texas: Arch Manning is ‘edgy.’ What’s that mean? Hopefully more for the Texas offense.

Inside Texas: Texas’ season is long. Its margin for error isn’t.

Inside Texas: Sean Miller’s history with Rick Pitino goes way back

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

Which Texas freshmen are improving behind the scenes

How injuries will impact the Texas pass rush vs. Ole Miss and beyond

Ole Miss star QB Trinidad Chambliss makes defenses finish the play

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

247Sports: 2028 RB Noble Williams discusses Texas after second visit to Austin

Inside Texas: Texas Longhorns recruiting intel: Horns hosting Texas A&M commit, 2027 LB talks ATX

Inside Texas: Texas and four-star CB Jeremiah Taylor continue to build, more programs in the mix

SEC SHOWDOWN

Austin American-Statesman: Texas star edge rusher Colin Simmons doubtful vs. Ole Miss

Houston Chronicle: Texas tries to keep its edge (rush) against Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss

247Sports: Horns247 staff predictions: No. 19 Texas vs. No. 7 Ole Miss

247Sports: ‘At some point, he’s got to fight back’ — Steve Sarkisian talks Arch Manning’s readiness for Ole Miss

247Sports: Can Texas stop its two-game losing streak with a win over Ole Miss: Know your Longhorn foe

Rock M Nation: Why Jude James earned a larger role in Mizzou’s offense

And The Valley Shook: If LSU wins or loses vs. Auburn

Rocky Top Talk: This strength on strength matchup could determine Tennessee-South Carolina outcome

Roll ‘Bama Roll: Alabama football 2026 vs Texas A&M: Previewing the Aggie offense

Dawg Sports: 3 things I don’t have to worry about

A Sea Of Blue: Kentucky basketball pursued Akron transfer Amani Lyles before Cincinnati commitment

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: Doug Farrar: Jayden Daniels is back to his 2024 form, but will it matter in 2026?

SB Nation: Oliver Bearman addresses his ‘big step’ this season and his F1 future

SB Nation: Sergio Pérez talks about Cadillac’s present and future at the USGP

NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND

• That Florida loss still hurts.