Steve Sarkisian Calls for Fair Play: Ohio State Shouldn't Be Penalized After Texas Upset

When the Longhorns clawed back from a 20‑point deficit to edge Ohio State 24‑23 on Saturday night, the win felt like a gift‑wrapped moment for Steve Sarkisian’s Texas program. It was the first time in three tries that Texas finally toppled the Buckeyes, and the AP Poll instantly crowned the Longhorns No. 1.

But the celebration was tinged with a thoughtful aside from Sarkisian on Monday. He didn’t just relish the comeback; he turned his attention to the other side of the field, asking the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee to look beyond the scoreboard.

“I hope Ohio State doesn’t get punished for that game,” Sarkisian said, his voice steady but hinting at a genuine concern. “They played a heck of a game. It came down to 25 seconds, 24‑23. If they end up 9‑3, the committee should remember they traveled to Austin in 100‑degree weather and gave us everything they had.”

His point wasn’t new. Last season, when Texas itself was sitting at 9‑3, Sarkisian advocated for the Longhorns to receive a playoff nod, insisting that a single loss shouldn’t be a death sentence. Now he flips the script, urging the same consideration for Ohio State.

“If we want to keep these marquee matchups—Power‑Six versus Power‑Six—we have to reward teams for taking them on,” he added, sounding almost a little nostalgic for the days when schedule makers could bank on thrilling non‑conference duels without fearing a penalty for the loser.

Of course, the CFP formula is a tangle of opinions, conference championships, and strength‑of‑schedule metrics. No team with a 9‑3 record has ever cracked the top four, and the Buckeyes would need to finish stronger—perhaps 11‑1—to force the issue. Still, Sarkisian’s remarks underscore a larger debate about how much weight the committee should give to a game’s competitiveness versus its result.

For Texas, the immediate focus shifts to wrapping up non‑conference play against UTSA before diving into the grueling SEC schedule. The win over Ohio State is a bright spot, but Sarkisian reminded everyone that the season is long and every snap counts.

In the end, whether the CFP board decides to “reward” Ohio State will be a footnote. What matters most is that the Longhorns proved they can compete in the big‑time arena, and fans will be watching closely as the next chapters unfold.