Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is now praising the decision to schedule Ohio State, a sharp reversal from comments he made less than a year ago criticizing the same choice.
The shift follows Texas’ 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State in Austin, in which the Longhorns erased a 20-point deficit. Sarkisian’s team converted twice on fourth down in the second half, including a fourth-and-9 from their own 42-yard line late in the third quarter, as the coach pushed for the win rather than playing conservatively.
After the victory, Sarkisian took aim at programs that schedule weaker non-conference opponents.
“We could be like other teams and play Jones Junior High and win 66-0,” he told reporters. “I don’t know what that does for us. Tonight we found out that we can (win big games).”
A different tone last season
Sarkisian’s praise for the matchup stands in contrast to how he discussed it after the 2025 season. Texas lost to Ohio State on the road early that year, then finished the regular season 9-3, missing the College Football Playoff. Along the way, the Longhorns lost to a 4-8 Florida team, were blown out by Georgia, and needed overtime to beat Kentucky and Mississippi State.
After beating Texas A&M to close the regular season, Sarkisian criticized the playoff selection committee for leaving Texas out.
“It would be a disservice to our sport if this team is not a playoff team when we went and scheduled that non-conference game (Ohio State),” he said. “Because if we’re a 10-2 team, it’s not a question. But, we were willing to go play that game. So, is that what college football is about? Don’t play anybody and just have a good record, or play the best and put the best teams in the playoff. And, we’re one of the best teams.”
ESPN’s SP+ rankings, an analytics-based measure, placed Texas at No. 22 heading into the playoff selections that year. In December 2025, Sarkisian said he would “re-evaluate” future scheduling because he felt strength of schedule wasn’t properly rewarded by the committee.
Now, a different message
Speaking Monday, according to The Athletic, Sarkisian argued that scheduling tough opponents should be rewarded regardless of outcome.
“Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us, and so that’s my goal,” Sarkisian said. “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 win over Ohio State gives Texas a marquee result early in the 2026 season and some cushion for a potential playoff push, though the Longhorns still face a demanding remaining schedule.
