Monday night’s national championship game between Alabama and the state of Ohio was a glimpse into the future for Longhorn fans.
The newly appointed head coach of Texas, Steve Sarkisian, scored a clinic against the Buckeyes and scored 52 points without any problems. At times, it seemed silly how open and easy the game looked for the Crimson Tide offense.
It was not just Monday night where Alabama’s offense shone. From a numbers perspective, Sarkisian’s offense this season averaged 48.5 points, 541.8 yards and 7.8 yards per game. Three players (DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones and Najee Harris) end up in the top five of the Heisman poll with the wide receiver finally taking home the trophy. The success of Alabama’s offense is inferred from Sarkisian’s game calling and designs.
In a recent interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Sarkisian doubles his ability as a playmaker. He specifically mentioned that there is no reason for him to hand over the job to anyone else.
‘I definitely want to be the play. I will be the playmaker, ”he said. ‘I made the mistake one year of my career (in 2015 at USC). This will not happen again, not even in the near future. But the reality of it is that Chris and the people in Texas liked me because of the work I did as a playmaker. Why would I suddenly give up one of the best qualities I have? ”
This is exactly where the excitement in Austin comes from. If the product reflects what it was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Texas is going to be on an excellent road. On the field results, team culture and local recruitment will benefit locally and nationally.
Sarkisian is the type of guy who is always looking for the next big thing in football. During his days in Washington and USC, he had a simple pro-style offense. At the heart of Alabama, it was the same. Handing over the ball to Najee Harris and having your award-winning blockers create lanes was an important step this season.
Where he has changed and excelled, however, is in the passing match with Jones and Tua Tagovailoa. It’s all about RPOs, presnap movement and finding your best players the best possible matches.
Sarkisian said at his introductory press conference in Austin how he is trying to keep the lead.
Only Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma was able to open this kind of offensive explosion within the conference. With Sarkisian now naming plays across the Red River, ‘Big 12 violations’ will have a new kind of meaning.
The move of all his innovations and thoughts to Texas is going to create an excitement that has not been in the city since Colt McCoy’s last season. Offenses with high fly, high point and elite levels will return to Austin.
Next, we are going to look at some plays that make Sarkisian’s offensive thoughts so brilliant.