Steve Sarkisian Forced to Learn Harsh College Football Fate as Arch Manning’s 210lb Partner in Crime Turns Heads

The Longhorns are back in the saddle after missing last season’s playoff run against Ohio State. Steve Sarkisian and his squad are absolutely ready to thrive with a clean slate. New QB Arch Manning, a revamped system, and a hefty $10.3 million extension all call for an immediate impact. But just when Sark and his team seemed all set to hit the gas, the SEC threw up some major speed bumps.

There’s no doubt that Sarkisian has built serious momentum for this team since 2021. After back-to-back playoff snubs, this season was their chance for redemption. However, with a brutal road stretch, things are looking pretty shaky. Yeah, Sark may be cooking, but no wonder this schedule just scorched the pan!

Let’s get straight to the point: while the entire CFB world is buzzing about the Oklahoma Sooners’ schedule, even the Texas Longhorns have some incredibly tough games on their plate. And Cover 3 Podcast’s Eric Henry wasted no time hitting Steve Sarkisian with a reality check. “There is a one-month stretch that Texas is away from Austin. I believe it’s that three-game stretch in the middle of the SEC that they are away from home,” Eric said. An entire month out of their home stadium is sure challenging, plus that stretch will largely decide how their season goes. Now, the teams on the road might not be the toughest opponents, but playing on the road in the SEC is never easy.

And Eric Henry made sure he laid it out clearly: “Hitting the road—of course, you mentioned they went to Vandy, Vandy at home—but going to Mississippi State, right? Again, not expecting that to be the toughest game in the world, but still a road SEC game. Same thing with Florida. Of course, you got to have the Red River Shootout. You’re going to go to Dallas. I think that’s the stretch that really will make or break their year.” Then comes their biggest test down the road against Kirby Smart’s Georgia. Last season, they faced each other twice, and both times the Bulldogs straight-up handed Texas a big L.

This season is definitely do-or-die for Steve Sarkisian’s squad. So what kind of regular season record can we actually expect from the Longhorns?

Eric didn’t mince words before giving them a playoff berth. “The way this schedule shakes out, I think the floor is nine wins. I think the ceiling during the regular season would be one loss. And that is whether it’s A&M or a Georgia or an Ohio State. That, to me, is the ceiling. I don’t see this team going undefeated or anything like that. All in all, if you, as we’re taping here on May 1st, I would say 10–2 is where I would come in right now,” Eric said.

The path sure is sloppy, but you can’t underestimate Steve Sarkisian’s caliber. Texas returns key players, including talented wide receiver Ryan Wingo. Defensively, star freshman Collin Simmons begins his sophomore season, joined by one of the nation’s top transfers, Trey Moore. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and cornerback Malik Muhammad are both projected as first-round NFL Draft picks in 2026. But there’s specifically one player who can turn things around for the team.

Steve Sarkisian’s hidden playmaker

The Texas Longhorns are loaded with talent and ready to make an immediate impact this season. But there’s one player in particular who could instantly change games. One overlooked player. This 6’4″, 210 lb freak from Lovejoy could be a perfect offensive weapon, even a go-to target for Arch Manning.

Parker Livingstone….

But how? Well, as Eric Henry explains, “You know, the broader audience doesn’t know Parker Livingstone. I would keep an eye on him. He’s a guy—6’4″, 210 pounds. Believe it or not, bud, if Parker Livingstone—and we’ll see what happens in fall—I don’t expect him to start, but for whatever reason, if he were to emerge from camp as a starter, he’d be the tallest starting wide receiver for Steve Sarkisian in over a decade and a half.”  That’s the kind of playmaker Steve Sarkisian needs for his new signal caller this season.

Livingstone’s impressive Lovejoy High School career speaks for itself. A three-year starter, he dominated until a foot injury shortened his senior year. He still exploded onto the 2023 season with 252 yards and three touchdowns, a Tom Landry Classic record. His high school career amassed 115 catches, 2,207 yards, and 31 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and deliver in crucial moments. Even Eric said the same. “As a head coach—not an offensive coordinator—as a head coach, having that type of size and that type of height, and someone who can really get downfield, they do have some threats.”

Texas coaches see Livingstone as a vertical threat, possessing the size to win jump balls and outmuscle defenders. His junior year averaged over 17 yards per catch, fueling an offense that scored nearly 50 points per game. Even as a sophomore, his 966 yards and 16 touchdowns cemented his place among Texas 5A’s elite. He earned all-district honors, excelling in all aspects of the passing game. Now that Steve Sarkisian has an explosive weapon on his team, let’s just wait and see if he can help Arch Manning to outdo Eric’s 10-2 prediction or not.

The post Steve Sarkisian Forced to Learn Harsh College Football Fate as Arch Manning’s 210lb Partner in Crime Turns Heads appeared first on EssentiallySports.