Fact of Fiction: Texas will struggle to adapt to the SEC “gauntlet”

Everyone knows I love a good, easy to consume narrative!

The SEC is the most competitive league in the country, even when only 2-3 teams have a chance of winning it. The competitiveness comes from most teams having the sorts of NFL talents you won’t find elsewhere, especially in the woebegotten Big 12. Look at Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker for an example. 

SEC programs also have an advantage I noticed over a decade ago at the best Texas high schools — baseline talent. When I would go to DeSoto, or at the time, Dallas Skyline, I couldn’t easily spot the prospect I was there to see. SEC schools are the same way, their players look the part even if they aren’t NFL talents. They beat you because their best 5-15 players are significantly better than yours even if numbers 1-5 are similarly talented. North Shore wrecks you because their “other corner” is a college player, too.

Recently Ian Boyd predicted Texas would go 6-2 in its first SEC season. It’s a defensible position, except, he had Texas behind Ole Miss and Tennessee. I’m saying ‘Tennessee’ like they are in this video followed by a big question mark. 

Ian knows more about the overall college landscape than pretty much anyone. But I know more about the Texas Longhorns than pretty much anyone outside of the program. 

What do I know? I know this team has the traits it needs to not only survive in Year 1, but also thrive. Namely, it has mental and physical maturity, especially in the trenches. In addition, it has IQ in the secondary and an improved pass rush. The roster is littered with NFL talents at the skill positions. And perhaps most notably, it has a coaching staff with plenty of experience in the SEC.

When Texas got smashed in Fayetteville in 2021 much of the external focus was on Hudson Card. Internally, the focus was on the entire roster. Right then and there Steve Sarkisian set out to build an SEC roster. Even with the portal that doesn’t happen overnight. Despite going 5-7 that season, the Triumvirate bought into and shared Sark’s vision and he understood he had time to carry out his duty. That class, bolstered by the offensive line, has shaped this 2024 team. You have to be strong in the trenches and Texas will have three offensive linemen, with early round NFL upside, from that recruiting class.

Sark claims he didn’t know Texas was heading to the NFL when he was hired. That tracks with the timeline of his hiring and the SEC announcement. But it doesn’t matter, he was going to build a team in the image of Alabama knowing it would serve him well regardless of Texas’ conference affiliation. He has that team now.

I don’t know what Texas’ SEC record will be. I lean towards 7-1. However, I do have confidence the program won’t look out of place, or dazed and confused after playing three, four, five SEC teams in a row. 

If Texas falters it will be for different reasons, which I’ll probably write next.

I’m calling fiction on the narrative.

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