Texas HC Steve Sarkisian: 'We can play with anybody in the country'

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian just wanted a shot to play in the College Football Playoff.

He was confident his 12-1 Texas team was good enough to be a CFP team. Whether or not the committee felt the same was a different story, though.

At the end of the day, Texas made the cut over undefeated Florida State and one-loss Georgia. In fact, the Longhorns are ranked No. 3 in the CFP, meaning a matchup with No. 2 Washington in the Allstate Sugar Bowl awaits them.

For Sarkisian, it was all about the chance to be in the dance, because he knows his team can play.

“I feel good. I’ve always felt like if we can get in, we can play with anybody in the country,” Sarkisian said in a news conference (h/t On3).

The Longhorns have proven it as well. Yes, they lost to then-No. 12 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, but the Sooners finished ranked No. 12 in the final CFP rankings so that's not a devastating loss.

What Texas did have in its favor is the Week 2 win over then-No. 3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa as well as wins over No. 23 Kansas State and then a 49-21 beatdown of No. 18 Oklahoma State in the Big Ten Championship.

Sarkisian is right. The Longhorns can play with anyone. The CFP field featuring No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Washington and the aforementioned Crimson Tide is not going to be easy sledding, though.

“They’re all great teams. They’ve all got really good coaches. They’re not in this tournament as a fluke," Sarkisian said. "And so it’s going to take our best effort in preparation and then ultimately in performance to be successful."