On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
After back-to-back years in the College Football Playoff semifinal, it seems the Texas Longhorns are again on the cusp of capturing a national championship.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has led the Longhorns out of their decade-long run of mediocrity and has returned them to national contention. After all, they are fresh off their first back-to-back 12-plus win seasons since 2008 and 2009 and fell just a few plays short of making it to the national title game. The question of whether Texas will win a national championship is no longer about if; it is now about when.
That is a sentiment reflected in a recent piece from On3's Pete Nakos, where he lays out the biggest question for each of the top-25 programs entering the 2025. For some, that question regarded a certain position, player, or even a coach. But for Texas, the question was: "Can Steve Sarkisian capture the Longhorns' first national title?"
"After falling in the College Football Playoff semifinals the previous two seasons, Steve Sarkisian and Texas are again viewed as a national title contender," Nakoswrites. "Arch Manning will get his starting debut at Ohio State in Week 1. The Longhorns also went all-out in the portal to bring depth on the defensive line. After two years of being on the doorstep, is this the year Sarkisian joins the club of head coaches to hoist a national title trophy?"
As Nakos goes on to note, there are only three active head coaches in college football who have won a national championship. Those three are Georgia's Kirby Smart, Ohio State's Ryan Day, and Clemson's Dabo Swinney. Coincidentally, all are coaches Sarkisian and Texas have had to face over the past two seasons.
And if they hope to win a national championship this coming season, they are guaranteed to face at least two of those coaches on their path to doing so.
Just like they did with Michigan last year, Texas' first major test of the regular season will see them travel to Columbus and face the defending national champions, Ohio State. However, this time, the matchup is right out of the gate in Week 1.
Then the matchup with Georgia will come in Week 12, as the Longhorns will travel to Athens. There is the possibility that just like last season, both teams meet again in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.
If the Longhorns do indeed end up hoisting a national championship to kick off 2026, there is a scenario where they have to beat all three of the current active coaches with a national title.
More must-reads:
- Notre Dame believed to be trending toward surprise choice at quarterback
- Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Alabama football’s defensive coordinator gives observation of Ty Simpson: 'The dude makes plays'
NFL legend Tom Brady unleashes on current climate in college sports
NFL legend Tom Brady isn't happy with the current climate in college sports. Fueled by money — specifically, revenue-sharing and name, image and likeness deals — along with the transfer portal's explosion and ongoing conference realignment, Brady says a reality check is needed in collegiate athletics. "But because we’re just talking about money, money, money, money … that’s the only value in college? Is that what we’re saying? To me, the priorities are a bit messed up," Brady said in a conversation with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt on the "Big Noon Conversations" podcast. College sports, in particular football and basketball, are a big business, and Brady recognizes that. At the same time, given NIL and other factors, there isn't a ton of loyalty in the college game, as players switch schools all the time. Plus, as Brady notes, these players are missing out on the college experience that he had while playing quarterback for Big Ten Conference powerhouse Michigan from 1995-1999, because they're competing for two or three schools. "I didn’t go to three different colleges," Brady, who won seven Super Bowls in the NFL, continued. "I didn’t leave college when it seemed like I wasn’t gonna play. I wasn’t at college to do anything other than have a great college experience, to go to school, to have camaraderie with my teammates and to compete at a high level. That’s really where the focus was. And at a young age, that’s where I think the focus needs to be." Brady doesn't blame the players. They're teenagers or in their early 20s when suiting up for college teams. He says that players' parents have to protect them. It's even more complicated these days (and tempting) because of the money being offered to top-ranked prospects, and some of these young men also have agents now. "It’s very intriguing to get that quick dollar," Brady said. "Look, we had a $400 scholarship check, and it seemed like I was rich. It really did. I’m sure most kids felt like that. We got pizza cards to go to dinner, and we had a training table, and it was an amazing experience. We didn’t think about the money." Brady says his time at Michigan prepared him for the pro ranks. He was in college for four years but didn't become the Wolverines' starter until his junior season. While Brady was a good college quarterback, he wasn't elite. He was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft and used that as motivation to prove that he belonged in the pros. What then transpired was Brady evolving into the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. He says young players today are too quick to move to a different school if they're not getting enough playing time. "The lessons I learned in college — and certainly about competition — those traits transformed my life as a professional. I was ready to compete against anybody, because the competition in college toughened me up so much that I had a self-belief and self-confidence that whatever I was faced with, I could overcome that," Brady said. Brady isn't saying that money isn't important. But he is saying what many others are thinking. The emphasis on money in college sports is concerning and problematic. "We’re valuing the wrong things," said Brady.
Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is supposed to remain in charge of the team for years even after the sale. Given what just happened with the Boston Celtics, it might only be months. When the Grousbeck family sold the Celtics for $6.1B in March, ESPN reported that Wyc Grousbeck would stay on as the Celtics CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season. Now, new owner Bill Chisholm will take over once the sale is final. That should concern current Lakers team governor Jeanie Buss, whose family sold a majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers to investor Mark Walter. Buss is supposed to stay on as team governor for "at least a number of years," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but new NBA owners haven't been keen on waiting to take control of teams recently. Mark Cuban thought he would continue running the Dallas Mavericks when he sold a controlling interest to the Adelson family in November 2023. Before the end of that season, when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals, new team governor Patrick Dumont, the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, was firmly in charge. General manager Nico Harrison reported directly to Dumont, which is how Luka Doncic ended up traded to the Lakers despite Cuban's objections. It might be different with the Lakers. Walter has owned a minority share in the Lakers since 2021, so he's had a working relationship with Buss. Her role as team governor may be a condition of the sale itself. With the team preparing for a long-term future with Doncic, Walter and his fellow owners might opt for continuity in the team governor role. But in general, people do not spend billions of dollars on a professional sports team so that someone else can be in charge. Buss is in charge of the Lakers now. Recent history says she won't be for long.
Cleveland Browns' Dillon Gabriel Stats From Joint Practice With Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel received the most passing attempts in a joint practice with the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles ahead of a preseason game between the two teams. The former Oregon Ducks star has been battling a hamstring injury and missed the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. However, after an injury to fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, it appears Gabriel is the likely starter for the Browns' preseason game two. Dillon Gabriel Stats From Joint Practice With Eagles Gabriel didn't have his best practice of the Browns' training camp in the joint practice with the Eagles. Here’s the stats for all four of the Browns quarterbacks that participated, per ESPN Cleveland. Joe Flacco: 6/13, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions Kenny Pickett: 5/6, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions Dillon Gabriel: 6/19, two touchdowns, zero interceptions Tyler Huntley: 3/4, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions Shedeur Sanders did not practice after suffering an oblique injury early in practice. Which Quarterback Will Start Vs. Eagles? Gabriel told reporters that his hamstring feels better, indicating that he could likely start on Saturday. Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot says the former Oregon Ducks star is a "good bet" to be the Browns' starting quarterback vs. the Eagles. Gabriel spoke to the opportunity, after the joint practice. "I think for many people in any situation, you either look at things as a threat or an opportunity, and an emotionally healthy mind always sees it as an opportunity. For me, I just continue to try and be in that mental mindset and headspace, and every day is an opportunity," Gabriel said. "When you wake up, you can get better or just coast, and for me, I'm always trying to get better, mental reps, whatever it may be, even in the training room, or in the weight room, there's things that you can get better at, so... That's what I'm focused on," Gabriel continued. Oregon fans are not surprised to see Gabriel maintain his poise amid one of the most talked about NFL storylines this season. Sanders' NFL Draft fall to the fifth round certainly brought more attention to the quarterbacks competition as Gabriel transitions to the NFL. Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett Back From Injury Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett each missed the Browns first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers with hamstring injuries. Against the Panthers, the Browns only played two quarterbacks; Shedeur Sanders and Tyler Huntley. Shedeur Sanders wow'd in his first NFL actions. Sanders went 14/23 passing with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Browns 30-10 win. Huntley saw limited time and went 6/8 for 51 yards and a touchdown. Pickett is still nursing his hamstring injury so it appears that Gabriel could get the starting nod and make his NFL debut. Cleveland Browns Preseason Schedule The NFL preseason is a huge opportunity for Gabriel to show why the Browns drafted the Heisman Trophy in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Ducks fans can't wait to cheer him on in his first NFL action. Cleveland plays on the road vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, Aug 16 at 1 p.m. ET. The Browns' third preseason game is vs. the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. ET.
Shohei Ohtani named in lawsuit regarding $240M real estate project
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been named in a lawsuit that was filed in Hawaii on Friday. Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are being sued by a real estate investor and a broker in Hawaii who have accused Ohtani and Balelo of sabotaging a $240M real estate deal for a development on the Big Island. According to court documents that were obtained by Jimmy Golen of The Associated Press, real estate developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto say Ohtani and Balelo deliberately had them removed from the project “for no reason other than their own financial self-interest.” The lawsuit claims Ohtani was brought into the deal for his promotional value and that he and his agent pushed the founders of the project out using “threats and baseless legal claims.” “Defendants must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiffs bring this suit to expose Defendants’ misconduct and to ensure that the rules of contract, fair dealing, and accountability apply equally to all — celebrity or not.” Hayes and Matsumoto have also accused Ohtani and Balelo of trying to push them out of a similar neighboring development project. The $240M Big Island development is located along Hapuna Beach, which is rated one of the top beaches in the world. Matsumoto was supposed to be the listing agent for the properties, which average more than $17.3M each. A brochure for the project stated that Ohtani, who was called “Japan’s Babe Ruth” has committed to buying one of the 14 properties and acting as a “celebrity spokesperson” for the development. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700M contract with the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season. The two-way star is having another monster year with a .284 average, 42 home runs, 78 RBI and a 1.013 OPS entering Tuesday. Ohtani has also returned to pitching this season and has a 2.37 ERA across 19 innings. Ohtani was also connected to a massive gambling scandal last year, though Major League Baseball determined that the 31-year-old was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
