State of the Program: Texas w/ Sam Khan Jr.

Andy and The Athletic's Texas Longhorns penman Sam Khan Jr. check-in on the crown jewel of Austin. What will it take from Steve Sarkisian to help restore UT to its former luster? Is cultivating and nurturing talent Sarkisian's top task as head coach? How many first-round picks will the program produce in time for next year's draft? Hudson Card was the prohibitive favorite to take Texas' first snap of the year, but Casey Thompson's Alamo Bowl performance places him square in the running for the starting QB job. What criteria will Sarkisian use when choosing his starting signal-caller? The guys consider how Texas will handle its school song "The Eyes of Texas" and how it relates to players, fans, and recruits' reservations. Plus, Andy and Sam perform a temperature check of the Big 12 and weigh where Texas ranks among the conference's best clubs; can Sarkisian, who was in close proximity to Alabama's success, impart what he learned in Tuscaloosa to his program, and why won't Andy give Texas the benefit of the doubt?

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Follow Sam on Twitter: @skhanjr

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