That SEC Football Podcast That SEC Football Podcast

Anwar Richardson: Why 9-3 Texas Would NOT Make College Football Playoff

Aug 9, 2026 · 33m

Summary

Hosts interview Anwar Richardson from Orange Bloods about the immense pressure on Texas football to reach the playoffs in Steve Sarkisian’s sixth season. They discuss the brutal nine-game SEC schedule, the impact of new coordinators, and the critical Week 2 matchup against Ohio State. Richardson offers a bold take that Arch Manning may not be a Heisman finalist despite high expectations.

Topics discussed

Intro: SEC Media Days and Texas' rise in the conference High expectations for Sarkisian, Arch Manning, and roster upgrades The pressure to be great and the 9-3 playoff cutoff Critique of the 9-game SEC schedule and Ohio State matchup Playoff committee bias against road wins and SEC strength New running backs Smothers and Brown boost the offense Coach job security: Venables, Elko, and Sarkisian's timeline New coordinators Muschamp and Stoops and system fit Kirby Smart's honesty and the Texas vs. A&M rivalry Schedule analysis: Red River Rivalry and elite opponents Bold take: Arch Manning may not be a Heisman finalist Arch's growth, offensive line concerns, and closing remarks
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