The SEC just had its weekly Coaches Teleconference, and Steve Sarkisian had some interesting things to say about his mindset going forward and how the Longhorns have been dealing with the rigors of a college football season.
In regards to the future and looking ahead in the 2025 season, Sark said:
"This is a great opportunity for us and our team to really show the resolve this team has. This will be our fourth straight week of going on the road. One of those weeks we played in Dallas against Oklahoma, but this is a very challenging portion of our schedule. I think we're learning a lot about one another. We learned a lot about our team, and this week's going to be no different."
Texas undoubtedly has a tough road ahead, as they get into the "meaty" portion of their SEC schedule. They play Mississippi State, a surging Vanderbilt team, and then SEC powerhouse Georgia over there next three matchups, and they'll have to be at the top of their game to have a chance at the upsets.
When it comes to the off field/mental side of things, it's incredibly important for a team to stay connected and lean on each other in hard times. Sarkisian also addressed this aspect in the teleconference:
"I think the biggest thing for us is to stay really well-connected as a team. I think we've done that. I credit the leaders on our team. I credit the assistant coaches. These guys have really grown together. You get on the road in the airplanes and busses and hotels, and your on the sidelines with 74 guys, you got to really stay connected."
Having long stretches of time away from home and the University can take a toll of recruiting as well, but Texas' Head Coach explained how to cope with that aspect on Wednesday:
"We stay connected to the guys we're recruiting via phone calls, FaceTimes, things of that nature. We do a lot of those calls sometimes when we get to the stadiums on the road and even sometimes after games to try to give them a sense and feel of being there with us. But you've got to be creative, and then you've got to try to maximize the opportunities that lie ahead."