Steve Sarkisian comes from the Nick Saban coaching tree, and that connection between the greatest college football coach of all time and the Texas Longhorns' leader seems to have brought a bit of belief to the 40 Acres.
On ESPN's first College GameDay of the season, Saban picked the Georgia Bulldogs to win the SEC for a third straight year, yet he had nothing but praise for his former assistant and the Horns. Then, former Michigan Wolverine turned college football analyst Desmond Howard picked Texas to win the conference for the first time since joining the SEC in 2024.
Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit also chose the Bulldogs to win the SEC Championship game. Celebrity guest picker and Louisiana native Lainey Wilson unsurprisingly picked the LSU Tigers to be crowned conference champs.
ESPN College GameDay SEC Champion predictions
- Desmond Howard - Texas Longhorns
- Nick Saban - Georgia Bulldogs
- Pat McAfee - Georgia Bulldogs
- Kirk Herbstreit - Georgia Bulldogs
However, if Saban has even the smallest belief in the Longhorns, could that be enough to push them over the hump that has stalled their season over the last three years?
During his 17-year tenure with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Saban won 11 SEC titles, 16 SEC West Division titles, and seven National Championships. In other words, that dude knows ball.
Desmond Howard, Nick Saban have Texas in the National Championship
Then, the cherry on top of the first (real) Saturday of college football was when Howard and Saban both picked Texas to be in the National Championship; the ultimate goal, the holy land, the dream.
Howard had the Longhorns winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Unfortunately, Saban had the Horns falling to the Miami Hurricanes in the title game.
ESPN College GameDay National Champion predictions
- Desmond Howard - Texas Longhorns defeat Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Nick Saban - Miami Hurricanes defeat Texas Longhorns
- Pat McAfee - Indiana Hoosiers defeat Ole Miss Rebels
- Kirk Herbstreit - Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeat Indiana Hoosiers
But hey, the Horns are there. It has been 17 years since Texas made an appearance in the National Championship game, and that was when Saban's reign over college football truly began, as Alabama defeated the Longhorns to win it all.
On Friday night, Howard posed the question, "If not now, then when?" for if the Oregon Ducks could win the National Championship, but truly, I think that question should be pointed in the Horns' direction
If not now, then when, Texas?
This year is the year. Texas has all of the talent; Steve Sarkisian has the necessary support; the strength of schedule is there.
The CFP and National Championship campaign starts this afternoon when the No. 5 Longhorns host the Texas State Bobcats in their season opener. A win today would need to be the first of many if Texas wants to make Howard's prediction a reality.
Add us as a preferred source on Google