College football fans are frustrated with Alabama-Texas potentially scheduled for 11 a.m. via FOX on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Fans of the Longhorns have started a petition to reschedule the matchup as a night game. It will be one of the most highly anticipated games in the fall as Steve Sarkisian looks to become the third former assistant to defeat Nick Saban. As an offensive coordinator in 2020, Sarkisian helped the Crimson Tide to an undefeated national championship. He produced three Heisman finalists and a Heisman Trophy winner in DeVonta Smith. Sarkisian’s creativity gave Alabama its best offense under Saban.
RELATED: Television network for Alabama’s Sept. 10 matchup with Texas announced
He starts his second season as Texas’ head coach in the fall. When it comes to hosting Alabama at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin (Texas), Sarkisian had one message for Longhorn beat reporters.
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian was asked about a potential 11 am kickoff against Alabama and said, “We have a saying in our building. Just spot the ball. Just spot the ball and we’ll play.”
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) May 18, 2022
Steve Sarkisian on playing Alabama at 11 a.m.: “Spot the ball and we’ll play.”
Mentions he knows fans love night games, “but at the end of the day the world that we’re in in college football… TV is a factor.”
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) May 18, 2022
“We have a saying in our building. Just spot the ball,” Sarkisian said about playing the Tide at 11 a.m. “Just spot the ball and we’ll play.”
Alabama has never played a marquee non-conference opponent at 11 a.m. in the Saban era. Texas will enter the matchup with much motivation. The Longhorns fell to the Crimson Tide, 37-21, in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game to end the 2009 season.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.