The SEC is the most important struggle membership within the nation, and it comes as no shock that it is the solely Energy 4 convention with zero unbeaten groups.
Are the Texas Longhorns the perfect group within the nation? Three wins over top-10 groups locations them within the dialog, however two losses to unranked groups recommend nah. Steve Sarkisian led this system to consecutive School Soccer Playoff semifinals in 2023 and 2024 and has the roster to get again in 2026, however the present product has underachieved at occasions.
Beating Mississippi State (4-3, 2-3 SEC) is non-negotiable. A 3rd loss to an unranked group – and a second to at least one beginning a backup quarterback – would destroy any goodwill Texas has earned from its three top-10 wins and successfully cripple any probability it has of entering into the playoff.
Texas’ Kody Clemens and David Hamilton (1) rejoice a 5-2 win over Tennessee Tech throughout an NCAA Tremendous Regional at UFCU Disch-Falk Discipline in Austin, Monday, June 11, 2018. (Stephen Spillman / for American-Statesman) (Austin American-Statesman)
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The game is working quick on tremendous groups in 2026. There is not one which stands out above the remainder. For individuals who need to play the Ohio State card, be suggested that the sort out soccer group from Austin handed the Buckeyes their solely loss.
The No. 11 Longhorns (5-2, 2-2) have constructed a pleasant résumé for his or her CFP case whilst they stand within the nook of a freshly painted room that is working quick on wiggle.
The message is evident getting into Sport 8: Do not muck this up.
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The SEC massacre we’re witnessing completely illustrates what league coaches and directors feared once they agreed so as to add a ninth convention sport to the schedule, eradicating for some that conventional FCS patsy that confirmed up for a late-season beatdown, permitting some banged up starters to relaxation for a half and, in some circumstances, three quarters.
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“I feel all of us had some reservations about going to the ninth convention sport for quite a lot of causes,” Sarkisian stated Thursday. “One is the apparent, that it is yet one more sport of the bodily pounding that this league takes its toll on you with, and so all of us need to be at our greatest. All of us need to be as wholesome as we may be. All of us have aspirations of creating a playoff, and also you need to be at your greatest if you can also make the playoff and have a full roster obtainable.”
And what about issues that an SEC loss will damage greater than an SEC win will assist on the subject of CFP consideration? It is eight extra losses in SEC play and that appears to work in opposition to the league.
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“What’s it actually going to seem like when there’s 9-3 SEC groups in comparison with 10-2 and even 11-1 groups from different conferences?” Sarkisian requested. “How a lot worth goes to be positioned in that? I feel that is why we have been so adamant about if we’ll go to 9 convention video games. To a point, we put the cart earlier than the horse, however that is OK. We’re all competing our tail off, and I feel there’s some recognition for the extent of competitors that we’re enjoying.”
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The Horns wished the SEC. They obtained the SEC.
Texas infielder David Hamilton (1) rounds third base after hitting a house run throughout an NCAA baseball sport in opposition to Texas State in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, Might 15, 2018. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN (Austin American-Statesman)
Texas ex David Hamilton makes historical past in World Collection
When former Longhorn David Hamilton arrived in Milwaukee in a commerce from Boston, he couldn’t have recognized his debut season would finish in dream style.
Earlier than this postseason, Hamilton was most recognized for being an absolute terror every time the Horns performed Texas State. All of us do not forget that grand slam that powered an 11-10 win over the Bobcats again in 2018. And the Milwaukee Brewers’ third baseman made every kind of historical past throughout an historic playoff run in Sport 4 of the NLCS sweep of the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers with a ninth-inning homer.
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He was simply getting began.
Hamilton, a San Marcos Excessive College legend, turned the primary Texas ex to hit a World Collection homer in Sport 3 and drove in one other run within the 3-1 win in Sport 5, pushing the Brew Crew to a 4-1 collection win and the primary championship in its 57-year historical past.
Hamilton it .280 within the collection and have become the primary Horn to hit a number of homers in the identical MLB postseason.
Within the storied historical past of Texas baseball, solely 9 gamers have received a World Collection title: Brandon Workman (2013 with Boston), Brandon Belt (2012 and 2014, San Francisco), Greg Swindell (2001, Arizona), Roger Clemens (1999 and 2000, New York Yankees), Dennis Prepare dinner (1997, Florida), Billy Bates (1990, Cincinnati), Burt Hooton (1981, Los Angeles Dodgers), Keith Moreland (1980, Philadelphia), Howie Reed (1965, Los Angeles Dodgers), Norm Department (1941, New York Yankees) and Pinky Higgins (1930, Philadelphia Athletics).
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Add Hamilton to the checklist.
“It is superior,” he advised TMJ4 sports activities after the sport. “That is all the things you dream for as a child. It is a good feeling.”
Derrick Johnson gala introduced
Texas soccer legend Derrick Johnson and spouse Brittni smile at a fundraiser for his or her Defend the Dream Basis in August. Johnson spoke on the College of Texas College of Schooling commencement Saturday. (Offered by Bob Daemmrich)
Former Texas star Derrick Johnson’s Defend the Dream Basis is following up final winter’s wildly profitable debut with the 2nd Annual Superstar Waiter Night time Feb. 17 on the 4 Seasons in Austin.
The sold-out inaugural occasion, which featured Longhorn legends Johnson, Mack Brown, T.J. Ford, Brooks Kieschnick amongst others, raised $690,000 within the charity’s efforts to fight illiteracy in underserved native elementary colleges. Brown and Vince Younger will headline a deep roster of Texas exes who’ll function waiters for these in attendance.
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Within the final 4 years, Johnson’s non-profit, established in 2012 whereas he was enjoying for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, has donated wings and new books to native libraries – known as Discovery Dens – to profit greater than 3,200 college students at Oak Springs, Langford, Pickle, Barbara Jordan, Zavala, Perez, Palm and Overton elementary colleges within the Austin Impartial College District. The following Dens are deliberate to open at Blazier Main College and William Elementary College in November.
I co-hosted the 2025 occasion with native radio character Brad Booker and it was superb to see so many Texas greats coming collectively to assist promote a fantastic. Donate to a fantastic trigger.
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This text initially revealed at Now you see why SEC coaches have been nervous about including a ninth convention sport | Golden.
