Texas coach Steve Sarkisian can’t help but wonder if last year’s loss to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide would’ve turned out differently had his Longhorns managed one aspect of the game better.

The Longhorns were on the wrong end of single-score games five times. With 10 of 11 offensive starters returning, the former Alabama offensive coordinator doesn’t feel the pressure as much as he sees an opportunity.

When breaking down football, he says, it is about what he calls “special situations:”

• Third-down conversions
• Fourth-down conversions
• Red-zone success

“That Alabama game,” the former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator told The Herd with Colin Cowherd, “we were in the red zone five times. We scored one touchdown. What a difference that game could have been had we been able to punch it in a couple of times.

“How we controlled the ball late in the fourth quarter to close out some of those games that we had leads in (things might have been different).”

To be fair, Alabama and Bryce Young might have had something to do with the outcome. Two fourth-quarter plays by Young carried the Crimson Tide to a 20-19 win in Austin as Young’s scramble set up Will Reichard’s 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.

First, it was the twisting, falling backward touchdown throw. Then came the duck and dodge slip away from a sack that turned into a 20-yard scamper.

Still, there is nothing but love for Saban and the Tide, a program he called plays for from 2019-2020. Just don’t expect him to be on contact with Saban the week the Longhorns travel to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama.

“Probably not the week of,” Sarkisian said. “Might (call him) right before the season I’ll give him a call but maybe not the week of.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for him. I can’t say enough about what he did for my career. We had some special moments. I learned this from (former USC coach) Pete (Carroll): There’s nothing like competing against your friends and the people you respect the most. We’ll put forth a great week of practice. We’ll have a good plan. I have no question our guys will go out and play hard.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.