Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged the elevated expectations surrounding his team this season, stating that the aspirations within the program are even higher than those from the outside.
"The expectations are a lot higher in our building than they are on the outside," Sarkisian told reporters at SEC Media Days. While many anticipate at least a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, Sarkisian indicated that his team is focused on championship contention.
Arch Manning also faced questions about the perceived narrative surrounding his performance, particularly after his freshman season. "No, there's nothing you can do. Everybody has an opinion and gets paid to talk in the media," Manning said. "I'm trying to control the controllables. But, it probably lights a little fire in me, and continue to try and prove myself one week at a time."
Sarkisian noted a visible increase in Manning's confidence heading into the new season. "Manning is a lot more confident," Sarkisian said. "I think last season, he found out a lot about himself. Any time we're face with adversity, and we got on the other side of it, you gain confidence. I think that you see a different leader in him, in the way he interacts with his teammates."
Last year, Manning's public statements often downplayed the Heisman Trophy hype, with him reminding reporters that he had not yet accomplished enough at Texas to warrant such attention. This year, however, after a second-half progression for the Longhorns and with Sarkisian bolstering the offense through the transfer portal, Manning is being discussed as a legitimate Heisman contender.
"What he got put through would’ve melted 99% of the people in his shoes," Sarkisian commented on the intense scrutiny Manning faced a year ago. "What he got put through would’ve ruined 95% of the people in his shoes."
Manning reflected on his growth, acknowledging past struggles like the Florida game. He also addressed the team's approach to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), stating, "We do a good job about not talking about NIL. I don't know how it is at other schools, that's big for us. It's about the players, and not worrying about how much someone makes."
Sarkisian emphasized that winning a national championship requires overcoming top competition, specifically mentioning the need to defeat programs like Georgia. "If you want to be the champion, you've got to beat the champion. We've lost to Georgia 3 times. Credit to Kirby, they've done a great job. If we want to be the champion, I'm guessing we're probably going to have to beat the champion."
The coach highlighted that Manning has matured, becoming more comfortable with himself and his role within the team, a sentiment echoed by Manning's own reflections on his development over the past year. He is focused on leading the Longhorns with the goal of competing for a national championship this season.