Steve Sarkisian is out here playing the ultimate chess match, not just coaching his Texas Longhorns, but actively lobbying the CFP committee on behalf of Ohio State! After his team’s unbelievable comeback win over the Buckeyes on Saturday night, Sarkisian spent a chunk of his Monday press conference arguing that the committee should *not* punish Ohio State for that tough loss. This isn’t just about one game, it’s about the future of how teams schedule their seasons.
The Buckeye Defense Fund, Led by Sark
Can you believe it? The coach who just beat you is now sticking up for you. Sarkisian’s argument is crystal clear: he hopes Ohio State doesn’t get punished if they end up being a 9-3 team. He wants the committee to put things in perspective. That game on Saturday night was a nail-biter, 24-23, with Texas scoring the winning points with only 25 seconds left on the clock. Plus, it was in Austin, Texas, in September, where it was a scorching 100 degrees! Sarkisian is saying playing in that kind of environment, against a top team, should be seen as a positive, not a reason for a downgrade. “Quite frankly,” Sarkisian said, “Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this type of game against us.”
Why This Is Bigger Than One Game
Sarkisian isn’t just being nice. He’s talking big picture for college football. He warns that if the committee just looks at the number of losses without digging deeper into the schedule, teams will start ditching big non-conference matchups. He thinks everyone will start scheduling FCS and Group of Six opponents to protect their record. “I don’t think that’s the product we want in college football,” he stated. If we want to keep seeing those epic matchups early in the season, the teams who play them need to be rewarded for it. It’s all about incentivizing strength of schedule.
Sarkisian knows this from experience. He recalled how Texas finished 9-3 last season and missed out on a CFP berth. One of those losses was a seven-point defeat to Ohio State in Columbus. He felt then that the Longhorns weren’t rewarded for going to Columbus in Week 1. Last fall, Texas faced a brutal schedule, playing five games against top-10 opponents and winning three. Their only two losses were on the road against Ohio State and Georgia, yet they finished No. 13. Sarkisian even argued at the time that a 10-2 Texas team should have been in the CFP “no questions asked.” He’s speaking from a place of firsthand knowledge.
This is a huge moment for the CFP committee. Do they listen to coaches like Sarkisian, who are pushing for competitive, entertaining matchups, or do they set a precedent that encourages cupcake schedules? This isn’t just about Ohio State’s season, it’s about the integrity and excitement of the sport going forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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