Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian adopted an underdog narrative ahead of his team's matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 12, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Despite Texas entering the game as favorites, Sarkisian told reporters that "nobody believed we'd win the game," attempting to motivate his squad by framing the contest as a challenge against external skepticism.
The psychological tactic comes as the Longhorns prepare for one of their most high-profile non-conference games in recent seasons. Ohio State, a perennial College Football Playoff contender, traveled to Austin for the nationally televised showdown. Sarkisian's comments reflect a coaching strategy designed to keep his team focused and prevent complacency against a traditional powerhouse program.
