Texas’ Colin Simmons explains what makes SEC road games so tough to win

For sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons, Texas' 16-13 overtime victory at Kentucky was a lesson in survival. The Longhorns' offense sputtered as Kentucky controlled the time of possession, dominating total yardage 395 to 179. Still, the longhorns found a way to leave Lexington with a win. Simmons, who recorded three sacks in the game, said afterward that the challenge of playing on the road in the SEC goes far beyond X’s and O’s.

Simmons Says Atmosphere and Target on Texas’ Back Make SEC Road Games Different

When asked what makes SEC road games so difficult, Simmons broke down the unique pressure that comes with playing for such an historic college football program.

“Um, you know, the atmosphere of the fans, you know, more or less just, you know, the opponent wanted it,” Simmons said. “You know, we’re Texas. We’re the University of Texas and, you know, we got a target on our back. So, you know, some teams come out there ready to play, and we just got to outplay them.”

That target, he said, is something every Texas player feels each week. The Longhorns’ move to the SEC has added a different kind of pressure, one that forces players to perform through hostile environments, extremely raucous crowds, and opponents treating every game like a championship. Saturday’s win was the kind of gritty performance Steve Sarkisian calls a “culture win,” and Simmons was one of its biggest enforcers, recording three crucial sacks against the Wildcats.

When asked if Texas is playing well enough to win the SEC, Simmons didn’t hesitate. “Yes, sir. As long as we stick together as a team, I think we come out on top,” he said. That confidence mirrors the message coming out of Texas’ locker room—a belief that the program’s resilience and culture can carry it through tight, low-scoring games like the one at Kentucky.

Simmons also acknowledged the importance of keeping things in perspective. "In the locker room it was emphasized that a lot of great teams lost this weekend," he said. "So just for us to be on the side of winning is a great sigh of relief, and we just got to keep getting better from here. Keep striving, keep being engaged as a team."

Simmon's dominance against Kentucky reinforced why he's one of the SEC's rising defensive stars. His maturity, both in performance and mindset, reflects the culture Sarkisian has tried to build—one that values unity and grit as much as talent.