SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 05: Nick Martin #72 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish blocks Jermaine Roberts #16 of the Texas Longhorns as Josh Adams #33 rushes for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 5, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 38-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesIs this where we are in 2026? I know there is a culture war raging across the United States, but were talking about Texas here TEXAS. But lets back up for a secondThe college football playoff is the all consuming driver in the sport now. Theres no way around it, and we have nothing to blame except for everyone. Conferences, networks, fans, coaches, politicians, alumni everyone is to blame for trying to make the CFP bigger than the sport itself. Weve lost sight of what we are and what we have been for decades. Dont get me wrong I too enjoy the college football playoff, but not once have I ever uttered with meaning that its more important than the season itself. Theres a difference. Still, there is so much tied into the CFP that its no big mystery as to why programs start doing stupid things which brings me to the New Age Cowards. It doesnt matter of its a southern California surfer bro or a Texas panhandle oil bro the bros are running scared. The Texas Longhorns have made that perfectly clear by continually being skittish with any question concerning playing Notre Dame on a future schedule. Steve Sarkisian isnt even trying to puff his chest out hes just saying they need to know that there wont be any consequences.Texas' Steve Sarkisian on whether Longhorns will play Notre Dame series: "I don't know about Notre Dame. We'll see." Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 23, 2026Seriously.I thought Texas was home to all of these tough people doing tough things in tough conditions and BOY YOU DONT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BEING TOUGH CUZ YOU AINT FROM TEXAS? But obviously that isnt the case. Texas is now as tough as California, and we should remind them of that every chance we can get. Texas isnt afraid to express their fears just like Southern California. I never would have guessed that the testosterone levels of both Texas and Southern Cal would be exactly the same, but this is 2026, and weve hit a new low. There isnt an argument Steve Sarkisian can make that doesnt make him look like a coward in this situation, but at least he can always jump on the line with Lincoln Riley for moral support.