Steve Sarkisian’s Track Record Looks a Lot Like James Franklin’s — and No One’s Talking About It

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 2:09 PM ET

Key Points

James Franklin is 4–21 against top-10 teams in his Penn State career.
Steve Sarkisian is 2–8 in top-10 games and 9–15 in one-score contests at Texas.
Sarkisian’s Longhorns face No. 6 Oklahoma on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The matchup gives Sarkisian a chance to rewrite his big-game narrative.

If you are a fan of college football, chances are you know the struggles of Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin in big games.

Franklin has had a solid tenure in Happy Valley, achieving a record of 104-43 over his 12 seasons. However, he has struggled in high-stakes games. His current record includes 6-6 losses in bowl games. Additionally, he has a disappointing record of 16-29 against ranked opponents, including just 4-21 against top-10 teams, as reported in an article from The Athletic.

However, fans may not realize that another prominent coach is facing challenges in crucial games: Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of the Texas Longhorns. On the podcast "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," the college football analyst discussed Sarkisian's difficulties at Texas when competing against top 10 teams and in contests that are decided by just one score.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team onto the field.Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

"He's 2-8 in top 10 games," Pollack said. "He's 9-15 in one-score games. These are numbers that matter."

Here is a breakdown of all 10 games Sarkisian has faced during his time at Texas:

2021: 55-48 loss to the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners
2022: 20-19 loss to the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
2022: 17-10 loss to the No. 4 TCU Horned Frogs
2023: 34-24 win over the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide
2023: 37-31 loss to the No. 2 Washington Huskies
2024: 31-12 win over the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines
2024: 30-15 loss to the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs
2024: 22-19 loss to the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs
2024: 28-14 loss to the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes
2025: 14-7 loss to the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes

While Franklin’s reputation for underperforming in marquee games has become a national talking point, Sarkisian’s struggles have largely flown under the radar. Despite Texas’ high-powered offense and elite recruiting under his leadership, the Longhorns have consistently fallen short in their biggest moments, especially against top-10 opponents and in tight, late-game situations.

Saturday’s Red River Rivalry against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners presents Sarkisian with an opportunity to change that narrative. A win would not only strengthen Texas’ College Football Playoff hopes but also provide evidence that Sarkisian can guide the Longhorns through the kind of high-pressure environment that has defined his tenure to this point. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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