What Steve Sarkisian said about Oklahoma Sooners after their move to SEC
At SEC Media Days on Wednesday, the Longhorns’ head football coach stated his team’s game versus Oklahoma was one of the best he has ever seen.
Steve Sarkisian, head coach of Texas, spoke with the media at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
Sarkisian was questioned about his coaching experiences in the Iron Bowl, which includes Alabama and Auburn, as well as the Red River Rivalry.
Both rivalry games are historic, with fan bases from each institution believing that their favorite rivalry game is the superior, more historic battle. Sarkisian, who has coached in both matchups several times, chimed in on the conversation.
“I have been fortunate. As I previously stated, I have participated in the Iron Bowl. I’ve taken part in the Apple Cup in Washington. I’ve been a member of (USC)-UCLA. I’ve been a part of several fantastic games. “This is, without a doubt, the most unique game I’ve ever participated in,” Sarkisian stated. “When you pull into the State Fair and you start smelling those corn dogs and turkey legs and there’s fans from both teams and then you get in those locker rooms and the locker rooms literally are 20 feet apart and you’re staring at each team, and one goes first, the next one goes next, and it can get a little contentious in there, but that’s okay.”
As Sarkisian mentioned, playing at the Texas State Fair creates another layer of excitement to the matchup aside from the contentious play on the field, bringing more fans to the event and adding to the spectacle.
“It’s a unique game because half of the game is a home game. The other half of the game is a road game. I had to learn that the hard way in year one,” Sarkisian continued. “We got stuck in OU’s end, and we were false starting. We couldn’t do anything right. So you have to play to that style of game. But it being split right down the 50, it’s the who’s who on the sidelines, and I’ll tell you this about both teams. Both teams play as hard as they possibly can play in that game, and again, that’s to take nothing away from any other great game that I’ve been part of, but this one is uniquely special. I think Norman is about two and a half hours from Dallas. We’re about three hours from Dallas. The fact that we kind of come upon the State Fair here in Dallas is really special. So it’s a game that I’m humbled and honored that I get to be part of.”
As Sarkisian stated, playing at a historic, recurrent neutral site that is equal distance from both university adds an exciting element to the game that few other rivalries can match. Sarkisian also mentioned the 2021 Red River Rivalry in his remarks, citing the Sooners’ 55-48 victory against the then-No. 21 Longhorns.
Oklahoma and Texas will meet on October 12 in an enticing contest that might have a significant impact on the SEC standings.
