The Texas Longhorns secured a significant 24-23 comeback victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 12, 2026, a result that has notably shifted the perspective of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian regarding the importance of scheduling marquee non-conference opponents.
Sarkisian, who had previously expressed frustration over the College Football Playoff selection committee not adequately rewarding teams for challenging schedules, embraced the win against Ohio State as a validation of his team's ambitious scheduling. The Longhorns trailed by a significant margin but rallied to defeat the Buckeyes, an outcome that could bolster their playoff hopes.
During the second half of the game, Sarkisian demonstrated a more aggressive coaching approach, including two successful fourth-down attempts from his own territory. These decisive calls were instrumental in Texas' ability to mount the comeback.
Following the victory, Sarkisian publicly contrasted his team's approach with that of other programs that he suggested schedule weaker opponents. "We could be like other teams and play Jones Junior High and win 66-0," Sarkisian told reporters. "I don’t know what that does for us. Tonight we found out that we can (win big games)."
This sentiment marks a departure from Sarkisian's stance in late 2025. After Texas missed the College Football Playoff with a 9-3 record, he questioned the selection committee's criteria, particularly after the Longhorns lost to Ohio State early in the season. At that time, he indicated he would re-evaluate future schedules, suggesting that playing tough opponents like Ohio State was not being sufficiently rewarded.
"Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us, and so that’s my goal," Sarkisian stated, referencing the previous season's matchup. "Time will tell, you know. And this isn’t crying over spilled milk. I don’t think we got rewarded for going to Columbus last year in Week 1."
The 2026 game against Ohio State, played at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, offered a high-profile opportunity for quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns to achieve a signature win. The victory came despite previous struggles during the season, including a loss to a then-struggling Oklahoma State team that had lost 12 consecutive games entering the matchup. Oregon, another preseason favorite, also suffered a surprising road loss to Oklahoma State. Meanwhile, Oklahoma sustained a blow to its at-large playoff aspirations with a loss to Michigan.
In the aftermath of the Texas-Ohio State game, the AP Poll reflected shifts in the rankings, with Texas climbing after their comeback. Sarkisian's current perspective emphasizes the value of playing and defeating top-tier competition, a stark contrast to his previous criticisms of the playoff selection process when his team failed to qualify despite a challenging schedule.