There’s likely a lot of pent-up anger and despair awaiting the No. 8 Texans as they head to Houston to take on the former Southwest Conference rival Cougars on Saturday in a key league game for both teams. There will be.
[Join Inside Texas and get ONE MONTH of Longhorn intel for just $1!]
It’s not like the Longhorns (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) are no strangers to receiving “special treatment” on the road from fans who are elated at the thought of beating Texas. But this trip will be a little different, as the Longhorns haven’t played Houston since 2002 and haven’t faced the Cougars (3-3, 1-2, Big 12) in the Bayou City since 2001. right.
“We’re seeing that reality everywhere we go this year. The truth is, we’re the University of Texas, so it’s not that different from any other year, right? “We’re going to bring out the best shot in everyone,” he said of Texas. coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday. “Everybody’s going to sell out their game, everybody’s going to want a blackout, everybody’s going to do something for that ballgame, whatever it is.”
Monday, Houston coach Dana Holgorsen He told the media that donors and boosters are all but demanding the Cougars beat Texas, adding that some are even willing to go 1-11 as long as it’s one win over the Longhorns.
Baylor coach earlier this year Dave Aranda basically said the same thing. Everyone wants the Longhorns to beat Texas on their way out of the Big 12 and into the Southeastern Conference.
Texas is a veteran team, and the upperclassmen have played in many hostile environments, including against the likes of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Stillwater, Oklahoma. Fort Worth; Manhattan, Kansas; and most recently in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the Longhorns defeated Alabama in Week 2 of this season.
Sarkisian said Thursday it’s important to have senior leaders who have participated in these types of wars and have been largely successful.
“Veteran leadership helps because they’ve been through some firestorms, and they can calm down the younger players around them and tell them, ‘Let’s focus on the job at hand,'” Sarkisian said. Told. “It’s good to know what you’re getting into.
“I am the great Sun Tzu.” tactics (Disciple) And you need to know what you are heading towards. You need to understand that the battle is won before it is fought. Therefore, preparation is very important in order to remain calm and connected when entering that environment. ”
Texas has proven it can get the job done on the road, so the challenge will be business as usual with the 40,000-plus crowd expected to fill TDECU Stadium on Saturday.
[Sign up NOW for the Inside Texas newsletter for Texas Longhorns daily updates and breaking news in your inbox!]
“We’re going to face some adversity on Saturday,” Sarkisian said. “But the next play is the most important play and we have to make sure we have the right mental fortitude and the right focus to execute the next decision.”
