Tag SEC

The Texas Longhorns have been named the projected Large 12 champions for the 2023 season, a nomination that hasn’t surfaced since 2009. Whereas being chosen to win the championship is a big accomplishment, residing as much as these expectations is a distinct process. The 2009 Longhorns squad did simply that, successful the Large 12 Championship whereas standing at No. 3 within the convention. 

This 12 months, Texas’ followers wait in anticipation greater than ever since this season marks its final with the convention earlier than transferring to the SEC. However regardless of the media buzz about Texas’ future, head coach Steve Sarkisian made clear final Wednesday throughout Large 12 Media Days that his workforce is concentrated on a profitable 2023 season slightly than the competitors that awaits within the SEC.

“I do know there’s been a lot discuss concerning the SEC and what’s taking place in 2024, however I feel one factor I like concerning the workforce that now we have this 12 months is their give attention to 2023 and this chance now we have right here within the Large 12,” Sarkisian stated. “It’s going to be a heck of a season.” 

Whereas some spectators argue this ultimate season may very well be a clumsy transition interval for the workforce, Sarkisian stated he has a roster filled with athletes who need to be Large 12 champions and don’t see this season as one to be dismissed. 

“I really feel like this workforce is on a mission as a result of that’s the strategy they’ve day-after-day that they present up within the facility,” Sarkisian stated. “They’ve purchased into this factor, and greater than they’ve purchased into it, they’ve elevated it.” 

The 2023 roster consists of many upperclassmen who’ve grown alongside Sarkisian and at the moment are of their third 12 months underneath his steering, like Jaylan Ford, Xavier Worthy and Jahdae Barron. Sarkisian emphasised the significance of veteran gamers over newcomers since they supply the required motivation and data for achievement. 

“I do know loads is manufactured from the gamers that we’ve introduced in, however we’ve received lots of veteran gamers that got here to the College of Texas to win a championship,” Sarkisian stated. “They purchased into a brand new coach, a brand new teaching employees, a brand new fashion of play, a brand new tradition, and inevitably they’re leaders on our workforce now.”

As expectations for the Longhorns appear to have peaked, Sarkisian stated one of many obligations for Texas athletes is to fulfill these presumptions. He stated the gamers don’t draw back from the stress however as a substitute acknowledge it and “push it to the aspect.”  

“I feel we’ve received a mature sufficient workforce to respect what you guys consider us, however on the finish of the day, now now we have to get again to work,” Sarkisian stated. “What is going to in the end outline us is how we play on Saturdays, and that’s what we’ve received to give attention to.”    

With soccer season ticket gross sales promoting out in June, all eyes might be on the Longhorns as they hope to satisfy their aim of enjoying on one of many greatest phases in school soccer on Dec. 2 in Arlington. 

“I do know there’s lots of pleasure within the air,” Sarkisian stated. “I do know we’re excited as a workforce, our teaching employees, our gamers, and I need to commend our gamers for his or her dedication…we’re wanting ahead to September and placing all of it on the sphere.”  

The Texas Longhorns have been named the projected Large 12 champions for the 2023 season, a nomination that hasn’t surfaced since 2009. Whereas being chosen to win the championship is a big accomplishment, residing as much as these expectations is a distinct process. The 2009 Longhorns squad did simply that, successful the Large 12 Championship whereas standing at No. 3 within the convention. 

This 12 months, Texas’ followers wait in anticipation greater than ever since this season marks its final with the convention earlier than transferring to the SEC. However regardless of the media buzz about Texas’ future, head coach Steve Sarkisian made clear final Wednesday throughout Large 12 Media Days that his workforce is concentrated on a profitable 2023 season slightly than the competitors that awaits within the SEC.

“I do know there’s been a lot discuss concerning the SEC and what’s taking place in 2024, however I feel one factor I like concerning the workforce that now we have this 12 months is their give attention to 2023 and this chance now we have right here within the Large 12,” Sarkisian stated. “It’s going to be a heck of a season.” 

Whereas some spectators argue this ultimate season may very well be a clumsy transition interval for the workforce, Sarkisian stated he has a roster filled with athletes who need to be Large 12 champions and don’t see this season as one to be dismissed. 

“I really feel like this workforce is on a mission as a result of that’s the strategy they’ve day-after-day that they present up within the facility,” Sarkisian stated. “They’ve purchased into this factor, and greater than they’ve purchased into it, they’ve elevated it.” 

The 2023 roster consists of many upperclassmen who’ve grown alongside Sarkisian and at the moment are of their third 12 months underneath his steering, like Jaylan Ford, Xavier Worthy and Jahdae Barron. Sarkisian emphasised the significance of veteran gamers over newcomers since they supply the required motivation and data for achievement. 

“I do know loads is manufactured from the gamers that we’ve introduced in, however we’ve received lots of veteran gamers that got here to the College of Texas to win a championship,” Sarkisian stated. “They purchased into a brand new coach, a brand new teaching employees, a brand new fashion of play, a brand new tradition, and inevitably they’re leaders on our workforce now.”

As expectations for the Longhorns appear to have peaked, Sarkisian stated one of many obligations for Texas athletes is to fulfill these presumptions. He stated the gamers don’t draw back from the stress however as a substitute acknowledge it and “push it to the aspect.”  

“I feel we’ve received a mature sufficient workforce to respect what you guys consider us, however on the finish of the day, now now we have to get again to work,” Sarkisian stated. “What is going to in the end outline us is how we play on Saturdays, and that’s what we’ve received to give attention to.”    

With soccer season ticket gross sales promoting out in June, all eyes might be on the Longhorns as they hope to satisfy their aim of enjoying on one of many greatest phases in school soccer on Dec. 2 in Arlington. 

“I do know there’s lots of pleasure within the air,” Sarkisian stated. “I do know we’re excited as a workforce, our teaching employees, our gamers, and I need to commend our gamers for his or her dedication…we’re wanting ahead to September and placing all of it on the sphere.”  

As Texas and Oklahoma put together to maneuver to the Southeastern Convention in 2024, the SEC launched soccer opponents for the upcoming season. Many present SEC opponents are former Huge 12 rivals, making Texas’ transfer to the brand new convention thrilling for followers and foes alike. 

With the Texas and Oklahoma transfer, the SEC dissolved its present East and West division mannequin, as a substitute shifting to an eight-opponent schedule. All 16 groups’ opponents had been revealed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening. 

In its first 12 months of SEC play, Texas will face Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State at dwelling within the Darrell Ok Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, and journey to Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M. Texas may even see Oklahoma on the Cotton Bowl. Whereas Texas will technically be the away crew in Dallas in 2024, the ambiance will certainly make either side really feel at dwelling.

The Longhorns will journey to Nashville to tackle the Vanderbilt Commodores, renewing a matchup that hasn’t occurred since 1928, when Texas fell 13-12 at dwelling to Vanderbilt. Nonetheless, Vanderbilt has not seen a lot success in current seasons, going 5-7 in 2022, its finest file since 2018. 

Renewing an previous rivalry with plenty of historical past, Texas will journey to Fayetteville to tackle the Arkansas Razorbacks for the primary time since 2021, when Arkansas received the “Welcome to the SEC” recreation 40-21. 

In essentially the most anticipated rivalry renewal, Texas will return to Kyle Area to tackle the Texas A&M Aggies for the primary time since Justin Tucker’s last-second walk-off subject aim in 2011. Since then, the chatter across the two groups’ subsequent matchup has been countless, and followers on either side now have a solution. 

“I’m most excited in regards to the (Texas A&M) rivalry (being renewed),” stated electrical and laptop engineering junior Robert Taylor. “It’s native, I’ve a whole lot of associates that go there and it’s at all times enjoyable to compete with them.” 

In contrast to with Texas A&M and Arkansas, the Longhorns don’t have a protracted historical past of enjoying with groups like Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State, with essentially the most memorable win over Georgia coming within the 2019 Sugar Bowl. 

“I’m excited to see new opponents,” Taylor stated. “Attending to play good groups (like SEC groups) ought to make our crew higher. Taking part in higher groups makes you higher your self.” 

Texas’ SEC transfer was met with excessive expectations because the announcement in 2021, and this sturdy first-year schedule will permit the crew to show it may well compete with the very best of the very best.