The mood around Texas football has shifted dramatically in just seven days. After being ranked No. 1 in the country and cruising through the season, the Longhorns now face serious questions about their head coach. Saturday's collapse against Florida was the latest gut punch, and the noise is getting louder.
Just a week ago, Texas was on top of the world, heading into the Red River Rivalry with a perfect record and national title aspirations. But then came Oklahoma. The Sooners, led by a gritty defense, took advantage of three turnovers from quarterback Arch Manning, including a pick-six that flipped the game. The Longhorns blew a 17-7 lead and lost their grip on the No. 1 spot.
This week, it was more of the same. Texas jumped out to a 17-3 halftime lead against Florida, but the second half was a disaster. The offense stalled, and the defense had no answer for freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who made his first career start on the road and threw for 155 yards, rushed for 41, and scored two touchdowns. Manning had a chance to win it late, but he fumbled with under two minutes remaining, sealing the Longhorns' fate.
Fans immediately took to social media, and the calls for Sarkisian's job grew louder. But here's the thing: firing Sarkisian won't be cheap. According to On3, Texas would owe him a staggering $36.5 million buyout if they were to move on now. That number drops to $27.5 million in 2027, but that's a big check to write for a program that's already spending heavily on facilities and recruiting.
Some fans might argue that money shouldn't be an issue, especially given the growing frustration with Sarkisian after the Florida collapse. But the reality is that Texas has a brutal stretch ahead. They face Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, and LSU to close out the season. That's a gauntlet that could easily produce more losses and more questions.
The Longhorns' College Football Playoff chances have already dropped to 48% after Saturday's loss, per ESPN's FPI. If they stumble again, the pressure will only intensify. Sarkisian has shown he can recruit and develop talent, but the on-field results have been inconsistent, especially in big moments.
There's also the human side of this. Coaching at a place like Texas is a high-stakes job, and the toll it takes on families is real. The grind of coaching football can strain marriages, and Sarkisian has had his share of personal challenges. But in the world of college football, results matter most, and the clock is ticking.
For now, it seems unlikely Texas will pull the trigger mid-season. The buyout is steep, and there's still time to salvage the year. But if the Longhorns continue to slide, the conversation will only get louder. And as Sarkisian's postgame comments have shown, he's trying to spin things positively, but fans aren't buying it.
The next few weeks will define Sarkisian's tenure in Austin. Can he rally his team and avoid a complete collapse? Or will the buyout become the only thing standing between him and the exit? Either way, the spotlight is bright, and the pressure is on.
