With all the drama and bashing going on before the season starts, I think it’s safe to say that major eyes will be on Kalen DeBoer and Deion Sanders. However, we might have a new contender among us. Steve Sarkisian, HC for the Longhorns, has also made drastic changes to his team. With players like Arch Manning and the Mullet madness Quinn Ewers, it’s evident that  the Longhorns are also ready to shock fans, and looks like Harry Doughlas is in the same boat.

On 18th July on Get Up by ESPN, Harry Douglas brings in his take on who he’ll pick; DeBoer or Sarkisian. “Well for me I think it’s Steve Sarkisian. We just literally listened to him say that his team is the deepest It’s been since he’s been the head coach there. And the expectation for him is to have the ability to win a National Championship and they have a roster to do so,” he said. And that is a fact. With players Quinn Ewers, Isaiah Bond, and DJ Campbell as the offensive starters, Doughlas stands correct when he says, “You have players that made splashes last year and played a small role that’s going to play a huge role this year on the defense”. Nick Saban agreed with this fact as well. Back on 15th July, on SEC Network’s ‘SEC Now’ Saban commented, “They’ll be a good team and a great program and Sark will do a great job.” This brings us to the point that even the retired HC has high hopes with the team.

Additionally, the fact that Saban mentored and sculpted Sarkisian after he was fired from the Trojans adds to the pressure that the HC will face this season. On the SEC Media Days, Sarkisian was found praising Saban for his guidance. “No one have you impacted more than me. I would not be standing here without you,” he said. So the question now is, will Steve Sarkisian actually become the fan favorite this season? or will the title be taken away by someone else?

Who else?

If you ask me, 2 specific names come to mind. Kalen DeBoer, who we all know, is already carrying the “Next Nick Saban” mantle, and Kirby Smart, who has learned everything he knows from Saban himself. Both HCs bring two distinct styles of play. With DeBoer building an offensive frontline and Smart going for defense, both the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are ready to rock the season.

What’s even more fun is that the Longhorns will come face-to-face with the Bulldogs this season on October 2024. And even the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs will fight it off in September 2025. This makes things much more interesting for all the 3 coaches. So, let’s wait and watch what Steve Sarkisian cooks up this season with the Longhorns.