Steve Sarkisian addresses the challenge of having Donald Trump at Texas games as communication with players gets disrupted

This week of college football has all the ingredients to be one of the absolute best in recent memory, highlighted by six AP-ranked matchups on the same day for the first time since 2023 . Headliners feature heavy-hitting battles like No. 1 Texas traveling to face No. 14 Tennessee , No. 4 Ole Miss battling No. 21 Florida , No. 17 Iowa taking on No. 18 Michigan , and No. 23 Texas A&M clashing with No. 10 LSU .

For the top-ranked Texas Longhorns , this Saturday at Neyland Stadium marks their first road test of the campaign and the official opening of a brutal stretch where seven of their final nine games come against teams currently entrenched in the AP Top 25 .

Adding to the massive spectacle, former Volunteers legend Peyton Manning will be in attendance alongside a sold-out crowd of over 100,000 fans , plus a very special guest, as President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the historic showdown at noon ET.

Notably, it marks only the fourth meeting all-time between the two iconic programs, with their previous three matchups all taking place in the Cotton Bowl (Tennessee winning in 1951, and Texas taking victories in 1953 and 1969).

Steve Sarkisian Highlights Secret Service Protocol and Headset Blackouts

Having high-profile political figures watch a game in person brings unique benefits alongside logistical hurdles, and Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian recently pulled back the curtain on one of the most frustrating side effects regarding Donald Trump's attendance .

Speaking during a media briefing, Sarkisian explained that coach-to-coach and coach-to-player headset communications are cut briefly whenever Trump enters, exits, or moves locations within the stadium, a mandatory security protocol enforced by the Secret Service given the immense crowd of over 100,000 spectators .

"The one thing that you have to be aware of when the president goes to any game is that any time he enters the stadium or leaves the stadium, or changes locations within the stadium, they cut all communication," Sarkisian stated. "You have to have a plan for that if and/or when, and you get no warning. So that just gets cut out."

Sarkisian noted that Miami head coach Mario Cristobal shared a similar experience from the previous season's postseason, warning that when security details forced communication lines to drop during crucial late-game drives, teams received zero advance notice.

While coach-to-coach headsets have been a sideline staple for decades, coach-to-player communication was only officially approved in college football starting in the 2024 season , allowing one offensive and one defensive player per team to receive direct instructions until the play clock ticks down to 15 seconds.

When unexpected security blackouts occur due to movements by Donald Trump or security details, coaching staffs must instantly revert to backup hand signals.

After this game Texas begins a punishing October slate immediately following a well-earned bye week.

The Longhorns face the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma , followed by a terrifying five-game stretch against currently ranked opponents: home dates against Florida , Ole Miss , and Mississippi State , paired with challenging road trips to Missouri and LSU .