Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of the Texas Longhorns, has been vocal this summer, drawing attention to what he sees as a damaging shift in college football.
He argues that the current 'playoff or bust' mindset, which pushes programs to chase the College Football Playoff National Championship above all else, is eroding the broader joy of the game.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Sarkisian said teams are overlooking smaller victories and the simple pleasures of competition when the sole focus becomes a championship trophy.
The coach also took aim at the academic expectations of programs like Ole Miss, suggesting that the pressure to excel on the field is compounded by external pressures off it.
His comments come amid a broader conversation about the role of conferences such as the Big 12, whose members are increasingly judged by playoff eligibility rather than overall season performance.
The Playoff Obsession
If the sport continues to prioritize a single championship, coaches warn that the rich tapestry of college football could be reduced to a narrow narrative, leaving many teams and fans feeling marginalized.