Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media ahead of the SEC Championship game in Atlanta against the Georgia Bulldogs, discussing the significance of the game, his team’s preparations, and more.

The Texas Longhorns are set to face the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday in the SEC Championship, marking an epic rematch. Earlier this season, Texas suffered a 30-15 defeat to Georgia in Austin, the only blemish on their 11-1 record. That loss raised doubts about Texas’ playoff hopes and their readiness for the SEC, but the Longhorns have proven their worth in the weeks since and are eager for a chance to redeem themselves.

Sarkisian addressed the media on Thursday, offering his insights on the game, the conclusion of the Early Signing Period, and other topics. Here’s what he had to say:

SARKISIAN: First, I want to thank everyone for being here. Representing the University of Texas in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta against Georgia is an honor. Our goal this season was to be in Atlanta for this game, and it’s been a challenging road to get here. Saturday will be another tough challenge. Georgia is a fantastic team, and Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have been the standard in college football for the past seven years. They’ve won national and conference championships, recruited at a high level, and have a strong coaching staff. It’s a big challenge for us, but we’re excited about the opportunity and want to make the most of it.

QUESTION: Sark, can you update us on Kelvin Banks? Has he practiced this week, and how has the meaning of this game changed for both programs, given that both teams are likely College Football Playoff locks?

SARKISIAN: Yes, Kelvin Banks has practiced. The significance of this game is that it’s an SEC Championship, and winning it is incredibly difficult. I spoke with Coach Saban recently, and he mentioned that two of his national championship teams didn’t even win their own SEC division. Winning the SEC Championship is a huge achievement. Our players have worked hard to get to this point, and this is a big deal for us. While everyone focuses on the CFP and national championship, we have a great opportunity ahead of us, one that Kirby and his team surely feel the same way about. We know how difficult the SEC is, and the chance to be conference champions is something we truly value.

QUESTION: You’ve always emphasized a strong running game. What’s clicked these last two games, and why do you think Tre Wisner wasn’t a higher-ranked recruit?

SARKISIAN: The run game has improved, especially with our outside zone scheme. Earlier in the season, our timing and landmarks were off, and we were getting some holding penalties. Once we fixed those issues, our run game clicked. Confidence plays a big role too, and our players are now confident in their ability to run and block effectively. As for Tre, rankings are what they are, but we evaluate players based on how they fit into our system and culture. I’m not concerned with why some players get more stars than others; we trust our evaluations and know what we’re looking for.

QUESTION: You’ve been around Texas long enough to understand the fan base. What kind of support do you expect on Saturday?

SARKISIAN: I’ve had the privilege of coaching in two SEC Championship games before. This game is a fantastic opportunity. The SEC puts a lot into it, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium is an incredible venue. We know we’re essentially playing a road game in Georgia, but there’s a lot of pride in Longhorn Nation, and I expect a good amount of burnt orange in the stands. Ticket prices will determine how many show up, but I’m excited to see our fans supporting us.

QUESTION: You had no hesitation putting Arch Manning in a scoreless game in a tough environment. How did he handle it, and why didn’t we see more of him during the regular season?

SARKISIAN: Arch gained valuable experience earlier in the season when Quinn was hurt. Those two and a half games gave him confidence, and it also gave us confidence in him. He’s continued to prepare well. Sometimes you need to keep a few things up your sleeve, and that’s part of coaching.

QUESTION: With the expanded College Football Playoff, where do you see the future of conference championships?

SARKISIAN: Every conference is different, but from my experience in the Big 12 and now in the SEC, these championships are still a big deal. Our players work hard all year, and getting to play on such a big stage is a reward in itself. I think the expanded playoff will make these games even more meaningful, but I hope teams aren’t penalized for losing in a tough championship game. It’s a grind, and playing in this game is an honor.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on signing day, especially Jonah Williams, and what’s the plan for him? Also, with the transfer portal opening, have you had any conversations with players?

SARKISIAN: We’re excited about this recruiting class. It’s a talented group that fits our system well. We have 20 out of 24 signees coming in as early enrollees, which will be huge for us in spring ball. As for Jonah, he’ll join the baseball team this spring, but we have a plan to integrate him into football as well. Balancing two sports is tough, but he’s a dedicated young man, and we’re confident he’ll succeed. Regarding the transfer portal, we’re focusing on the SEC Championship right now, but we know we may need to address some depth issues through the portal, particularly after injuries or players leaving early for the NFL.

QUESTION: How much has the team bought into your philosophy and messaging this season?

SARKISIAN: I’ve been consistent with my messaging since day one, and the players believe in it. We have a few players who have been here for several years and understand the message. The most powerful thing is when the players speak the same language as the coaching staff. I spend a lot of time in the summer preparing our message and revisiting it throughout the season. It’s not just about football; we also try to teach life lessons that the players can carry with them after college.

QUESTION: How do you manage to develop quarterbacks in today’s college football landscape, especially with the transfer portal?

SARKISIAN: We focus on developing our players, not worrying about whether they might transfer. We give them everything we have and help them grow as players. For example, Maalik Murphy spent two years here, and we helped him improve, and now he’s having success at Duke. We develop players to succeed, whether it’s for us or beyond.

QUESTION: You’ve mentioned outside zone as a key part of the run game. Why is it such an essential element for your offense?

SARKISIAN: Outside zone is the foundation of our run game. It’s an intricate play that requires great communication and timing. Once we get that right, it opens up other parts of the offense, like play-action passes. It took a little longer to get it right this year, but we’re hitting our stride now, and that’s helping the rest of our offense.

QUESTION: Jake is set to tie the all-time starts record at Texas. What makes him a constant leader at center?

SARKISIAN: Jake’s work ethic, toughness, and leadership make him a standout. He communicates well with the offensive line and quarterbacks, and his teammates trust him. His return for a senior season has been a great benefit, and his competitive nature has made him a constant presence for us.

QUESTION: You pulled Quinn early in the Georgia game, but he responded well. Why was that decision made, and how did Quinn handle it?

SARKISIAN: I felt it was the right call at the time. It was about giving Quinn a chance to reset. He responded well in the second half, and that shows his ability to handle adversity. Quinn has dealt with injury and criticism throughout his career, but he always bounces back. I trust him, and he’s earned the opportunity to lead us in the SEC Championship.