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Texas' Steve Sarkisian was a little too nice when talking about the Florida Gators

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian may have used slightly too strong of a compliment when talking about the Horns' upcoming opponent, the Florida Gators.

By Sam Fariss

Oct 26, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Alysa Lang from the SEC Network during postgame at FirstBank Stadium.
Oct 26, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Alysa Lang from the SEC Network during postgame at FirstBank Stadium. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Don't get me wrong, complimenting the opponent's head coach, players, or team is always the right thing to do when talking about an upcoming matchup. However, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian may have taken it just a step too far when pumping the tires of the Florida Gators.

In a recent press conference, Sarkisian said the Gators are "arguably the best-looking team in the SEC." For reference, Florida is 4-4 overall, 2-3 in conference games, and ranked No. 12 in the SEC.

So, for Sarkisian to make such a broad and complimentary statement about the Gators is, quite simply, absurd.

Texas already lost to the Georgia Bulldogs, who are currently ranked first in the conference, when the two teams played at Darrell K Royal Texas-Memorial Stadium earlier this season. So, as the Horns get ready to host the Gators, should they be just as worried that the same thing might happen?

“They are big, long, and athletic,” Sarkisian said about Florida. “They are physical at the point of attack, they’ve got good length and they play a multitude of coverages. But that’s just life in the Southeastern Conference.”

The Florida head coach Billy Napier has been a major point of focus in conversations about which Power Conference is on the hottest seat and which one will lose his job first.

On average, the Gators have produced just 244.8 passing yards (56th in FBS) and 29.5 points per game (63rd in FBS). Florida has earned 145.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks 83rd in FBS. Not to mention, the team allows an average of 24.9 points which is 72nd in FBS rankings.

For comparison, the Longhorns score 39.1 points per game while allowing just 11.5 points on average. The Horns earn nearly 300 passing yards when they take the field and are currently ranked as the 16th overall offense in FBS.

It's great to compliment your opponents and build up those around you. However, Sarkisian may have gone a step too far when talking about the Florida Gators.

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