Steve Sarkisian surprised by Brett Yormark's jab at Texas - ESPN

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said he was a little surprised by recent comments from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, who publicly told Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire that he «better take care of business» against the Longhorns.

The Longhorns will host the rival Red Raiders on Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving, in their final Big 12 game before departing for the SEC. Texas Tech beat Texas last year in Lubbock, 37-34 — an upset that Yormark referenced last week while speaking to the Red Raider Club.

«Coach [McGuire], I'm not going to put any pressure on you, but I'm gonna be in Austin for Thanksgiving, OK? And you'd better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year,» Yormark said.

When asked Monday about Yormark's remark, Sarkisian joked that the reporter was «trying to get him in trouble» before responding.

«I got a letter from the commissioner about sportsmanship the day before that speech, so I'm trying to figure out what are we promoting to our student-athletes,» Sarkisian said. «To go say those types of things? I'm not guessing he's gonna have his Thanksgiving dinner with us the night before that game.»

Inside the Texas locker room, the message this spring has been to «embrace the hate» that the Longhorns know they'll face from hostile crowds. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte has been vocal about it as well, including responding to a fan that sent him a photo of a T-shirt mockup with the mantra.

«Pickin' up whatcha putting down,» Del Conte said in reference to an «embrace the hate» shirt.

«The reality of it is that a lot has been made about [Yormark's comments],» Sarkisian said. «A lot has been made about a T-shirt being made. Let's not make this more than it is. This is about us.