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Sarkisian channels Alabama's Saban: Texas must avoid 'rat poison'

Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Steve Sarkisian fell just short of beating his former boss Nick Saban when Texas fell 20-19 to Alabama.

However, Sarkisian echoed a similar phrase from the Crimson Tide coach on Monday when warning his team about buying into the national praise following last Saturday's contest.

"First of all, to quote my old boss, we've got to be careful of the rat poison of people telling us how good we are, which is important," Sarkisian said, according to ESPN's Dave Wilson.

"A week ago, everyone told us how bad we were. Now this week, everyone wants to tell us how good we are. We've got to be careful to quiet the noise outside of our building and focus on us."

The Longhorns entered the game as heavy underdogs to upset college football's top-ranked team. But it was Alabama that needed a game-winning field goal to squeeze past Texas.

Sarkisian said he's received text messages and phone calls of support since the contest. However, he's not content with celebrating moral victories.

"Thanks, but you know, we got more work to do," Sarkisian said.

The Longhorns coach did praise his team's performance, particularly the way the defense contained reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, whom Texas sacked twice and pressured throughout the game. Sarkisian insisted his squad must match the performance going forward.

Sarkisian didn't tip his hand regarding who will start at quarterback next Saturday. Starter Quinn Ewers is expected to miss four to six weeks after sustaining a sternoclavicular sprain in the loss to Alabama. Backup Hudson Card is dealing with an ankle injury.

No. 21 Texas could turn to Charles Wright if Card can't play against UTSA next Saturday.

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