Steve Sarkisian Addresses Early-Season Clash Between Two 'Iconic Programs'

Saturday's game between No. 3 Texas and No. 10 Michigan will be the first regular-season matchup between two of the best programs in college football history. Ahead of the game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd to break down his expectations.

Sarkisian was asked if there's any advantage to catching Michigan early in the season, especially with a new head coach and several players headed to the NFL Draft. He admitted that there are pros and cons and that this would be a considerable challenge, regardless of timing.

"I think they're 41-3 in their last 44 games, they've won 16 games in a row, they've won 23 straight games at home in the Big House," Sarkisian said. "So this is a great program. As much as it is about this current team they have, it's about the program, the development, and what they've done."

Sarkisian also said it's challenging to prepare for a new-look Michigan defense with "only a one-game sample size of [Wink Martindale] as the defensive coordinator." Jesse Minter followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, and Martindale is integrating some wrinkles into what was the best defense in the country last year.

Finally, Sarkisian said, "it's pretty humbling from myself that I get to be on the sideline leading the Texas Longhorns" for the first meeting between two "iconic" programs.

Related: Michigan Wolverines vs. Texas Longhorns Prediction