Steve Sarkisian still believes Texas wasn't properly rewarded in last season's College Football Playoff evaluation for opening the year on the road at Ohio State — a 14-7 loss for the Longhorns.
That may be why he defended the Buckeyes following their own Week 2 loss in Austin, a game in which the Longhorns overcame a 23-3 fourth quarter deficit to win, 24-23.
"Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us, and so that's my goal. 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 One," Sarkisian said on Monday, Sept. 14 during a media availability.
"Hopefully, this year they reward Ohio State for coming and playing in this game against us."
Steve Sarkisian advocated that Ohio State shouldn't be punished by the CFP committee for coming to DKR and losing a close game...
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) September 14, 2026
"I hope if they end of being a 9-3 team the committee can appreciate the fact that they came to Austin, Texas. In September when it was 100 degrees… pic.twitter.com/qZxWQedQ4E
In addition to last year's loss to the Buckeyes, Texas took SEC losses on the road to an unranked Florida squad that finished 4-8 overall and No. 5 Georgia, a game in which Arch Manning threw for 252 yards and a touchdown in a 35-10 defeat.
Those losses ultimately kept Texas out of the 12-team playoff despite the Longhorns finishing the regular season as one of the SEC's hottest teams with a 6-1 stretch run to end the season. Sarkisian's team finished ranked 13th in the final rankings, but was the third team out of the playoff, behind fellow potential at-large teams in Notre Dame and BYU.
The Longhorns came back from a 20-point deficit on Sept. 12 to snap a two-game skid against the Buckeyes behind a trio of unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Manning finished 23-of-36 passing for 196 yards with a touchdown and interception.
The Buckeyes got another standout night from star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who, after struggling against the Longhorns' defense in the previous two meetings, recorded eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. He has 16 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games of the season.
Ohio State will have plentiful of opportunities to bounce back and tack on resume-building wins to its CFP resume during Big Ten play — including winning the conference championship, should the Buckeyes qualify for it. Ryan Day's squad will face five teams who are ranked in this week's US LBM Coaches Poll during their Big Ten slate.
Texas next hosts UTSA at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 19. Ohio State will play Kent State at Ohio Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas' Steve Sarkisian defends Ohio State after road loss - and shades CFP for 2025 snub
