Hours prior to the season’s first top-five matchup, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian managed to throw a jab at a conference rival.Sarkisian made an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday before his No. 4 Longhorns take on the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes. But when given the opportunity to take the mic, Sarkisian aimed a shot at LSU and their head coach, Lane Kiffin.Kiffin was the villain of the college football offseason after his attempts to sign two NFL players to his roster.His efforts were the subject of plenty of discussion throughout the offseason, which Sarkisian didn’t appear to enjoy. But with the spotlight in Austin, he took joy in knowing there was no controversy to highlight.’We’re not talking about injunctions and TROs and lawsuits. We’re talking about a hell of a football game that’s gonna get played tonight,’ Sarkisian said on the set.”We’re not talking about injunctions and TROs and lawsuits. We’re talking about a hell of a football game that’s gonna get played tonight.”—Coach Steve Sarkisian ahead of Texas’ matchup with Ohio State ? pic.twitter.com/KoS1t1Ae2y— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 12, 2026 Texas coach Steve Sarkisian delivered a jab to his SEC rival while on College GameDay Sarkisian joked about ‘TROs and lawsuits’ – a reference to LSU coach Lane Kiffin Sarkisian and Texas will hope to knock off No. 1 Ohio State at home on Saturday eveningLSU faced multiple attempts to stop their pursuit of two former Ole Miss players that Kiffin wished to bring back.Tight end Dae’Quan Wright and lineman Zxavian Harris both signed contracts with NFL teams earlier in the preseason – only to try and return to college.After the two players got a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) attempted to block their entrance by enforcing its own rules. However, the SEC also had their efforts thwarted with a court ruling.LSU’s pursuit of these players have thrown the sport into chaos in a year where there have been attempts to update and define limits for transfers and eligibility. But for Sarkisian, the shot at Kiffin was brief as he chose to focus on the game ahead of him.’This is what this is about. Look at this crowd,’ Sarkisian said while pointing to the large crowd gathered behind them. ‘You look in front of this set. You see the two helmets down there…the branding of these two programs. What it means for college football.’Texas will hope to get revenge over the Buckeyes for a loss in Columbus last year.