I’ve seen Sark’s record of 2-8 vs the Top 10 since 2021 get thrown around as evidence he can’t win big games. I think it’s a little misleading.

We were just rebuilding/not good in 2021-2022. We did good to beat anyone those years. Sark has clearly brought us back 2023 to present. Record since 2023: 2-5. Not great, but let’s take a look at the losses. 
 

2023- OU and Washington

2024- Georgia x2, tOSU

2025- tOSU

Which of these games “should” Sark have realistically won? I’d argue OU, UGA in SEC CG and (maybe) tOSU this year. Washington in 2023 and tOSU in 2024 were just better teams (than almost everyone in the country for UW and everyone for tOSU). 
 

I’d argue Sark is 2-3 in Top 10 matchups he “should have” realistically won. Also, ASU and Clemson were two of the top 10 teams in the country last year imo (ASU actually finished #7). So I’d say really 3-3 or 4-3 vs teams in the 3-10 range since 2023

 

Edited September 10, 2025Sep 10 by CHorn427

That OU game started so weird but yes we should have won that one. The Georgia SEC CG, too. We win by 10+ if Beck stays in the game and doesn't get injured. We took way too long to figure out Gunnar Stockton and it put us behind.

I actually think we could / should have beaten Washington if we don't fumble the ball twice. That's a hard one.

Offense hasn’t been up to the task against top 10 teams. Defense has. The one exception might be Washington but even then the turnovers are what killed us. 

OU was not a top 10 team in 2023. They were ranked 12th.

Still not a great look. Hope it gets better