Texas’ move to the Southeastern Conference has rekindled an old rivalry once so intense that national championships hung in the balance and a U.S. president made a special trip to attend. The Texas-Arkansas border clash is a feud that in its heyday was as big as any in the country.

Uncertainty surrounded the Texas program in 2021 during Sarkisian's first year. Texas is now one of the most consistent and best-positioned teams in the sport.