Texas Longhorns Coach Steve Sarkisian Is Not Concerned With 'Bulletin Board Material' From Iowa State Cyclones
On Saturday, the No. 7 Texas Longhorns (9-1) will hit the road and take on the Iowa State Cyclones (6-4) for the last time as conference foes.
These two programs have been a part of some great games over the past few years, but there has also been a fair share of verbal sparring. Iowa State hasn't been shy about taking the occasional shot or two at Texas, and that is something that we saw earlier in the week from lineman Jarrod Hufford. The redshirt senior called out Texas for having an ego and took it upon himself to let everyone know he and the team plan to humble the Longhorns.
Something that head coach Matt Campbell downplayed when asked about the rant, and also something that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed the Longhorns aren't worried about.
"The reality of it is, as much as that gets said publicly week to week or not week to week -- our players hear things indirectly -- we try not to put too much into that. We try to focus on our mission."
Texas Longhorns marching out on to the field vs. TCU
© Jerome Miron, USA TODAY
Sarkisian also called back to comments he made at Big 12 media day, when imploring to his team and fans that they can win the conference but know they are hated throughout.
"I didn't do it by accident when I talked about what I talked about in preseason and at Big 12 media days of recognizing this is our opportunity to go on the road and go on a mission to try to win a Big 12 Championship, and we've put ourselves in position to be competing for it in November. We also understand when we go on the road, environments we're going into."
When talking about preparation for this weekend's showing, Sarkisian revealed it hasn't been an easy practice by any means.
"I've probably coached them as hard a couple of days this week as I've coached them in a long time because I know what's needed as you work your way through November. The idea that we get everybody's best shot, we need to ensure that they get our best shot for four quarters."
The Longhorns, if they have any chance at making the College Football Playoff have no room for error. In past years, it has been around this time when they fall apart, and they are well aware of what a missed opportunity it would be if they weren't able to make the playoff this season.
The Longhorns are currently 7.5-point favorites against Iowa State this weekend in what should be an intense matchup.
