Texas football fans witnessed a thrilling finish on Saturday when the Longhorns edged Ohio State 24‑23 at Darrell K Royal‑Texas Memorial Stadium. The comeback, sparked by a fourth‑quarter surge, gave Texas a signature win that could bolster its case for a College Football Playoff berth.
Game‑changing moments
Trailing late in the third quarter, Texas faced a fourth‑and‑nine from its own 42‑yard line. Coach Steve Sarkisian elected to go for it, and the Longhorns converted, igniting a drive that resulted in a go‑ahead touchdown. A second successful fourth‑down attempt later in the period cemented the momentum shift.
Both fourth‑down conversions highlighted Sarkisian’s aggressive play‑calling, a stark contrast to the more conservative approach he criticized after the 2025 season when Texas missed the playoff after a 9‑3 record.
Sarkisian’s comments on scheduling
After the victory, Sarkisian praised the decision to schedule Ohio State, a perennial powerhouse, rather than a lower‑tier opponent. “We could have played a junior‑high team and won 66‑0,” he told reporters, “but we chose to test ourselves against the best. That’s what college football is about.”
He argued that teams that schedule and beat elite competition deserve greater consideration from the playoff selection committee, noting that Texas’s earlier losses to a 4‑8 Florida team and close games against Kentucky and Mississippi State hurt its résumé.
Implications for the playoff race
Analytics firm ESPN’s SP+ ranking placed Texas at No. 22 before the selection committee met, a factor in its exclusion from the 2025‑26 playoff. The win over Ohio State could improve that standing, but Sarkisian cautioned that a single game does not guarantee a spot.
“If we finish 10‑2, the case is clear,” he said. “But we also need the system to reward teams that take on tough schedules, not just those with perfect records against weaker opponents.”
Looking ahead
The Longhorns now turn their focus to the remainder of the regular season, including a rivalry matchup with Texas A&M. A victory there would further strengthen their résumé and keep the playoff conversation alive.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching how the selection committee weighs Texas’s strength of schedule alongside its overall record, a debate that Sarkisian believes should prioritize competitive matchups.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
