Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is seemingly taking the high road after besting Ryan Day's Buckeyes 24-23 in Week 2.
It may not be 100% pure, but Sarkisian is still sticking up for OSU for traveling to the Forty Acres and playing a legitimate Power 4 contender instead of a cupcake opponent.
While fans in Burnt Orange are getting in their shots for how brutal the blown 20-point fourth quarter lead was -- Matthew McConaughey's Pantalones tequila brand is offering Ohio State fans a discount, but only if they input the final score from the game as a code -- Sarkisian is actually pitching the CFP selection committee on having grace for the Buckeyes come Selection Sunday.
As previously implied, there may be other ulterior motives to him sticking up for OSU.
“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.
Per The Athletic's Ralph D. Russo, "Sark was asked about balancing being part of a game that was such a big event and wanting to have those events for Texas and needing to win games."
It wasn't an unprompted defense of his 2025 season. Still, you could see Sarkisian was not happy that his program's 9-3 finish from last season ended in a trip to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against TTUN instead of the CFP. Sark has never been happy about that supposed "snub." Other teams, like Notre Dame and BYU, had much better snub cases, but Sarkisian has been more vocal about it than any other coach.
No matter. Sark may have made a good point on the Buckeyes here.
A three-loss Ohio State team would still deserve CFP consideration
All offseason, the idea of losing three games and being on the CFP bubble was a legitimate question. Now, with one loss in the first month, it's a possibility for the Scarlet and Gray.
Some games look easier than others, like Oregon at home in early November. Some, like "The Game," look tougher after Week 2's results. However you slice it, the Buckeyes have a gauntlet in the next few months.
The way Ohio State lost was heartbreaking, but it proves that the two teams are on even footing. Big Ten refs made a questionable call on a pass interference on Devin Sanchez that Jermaine Bishop Jr. created by selling the contact. That led to the first touchdown of the day for UT. Take that call out after a second-and-long play, and who knows how the game goes.
The Buckeyes were a better team for 43 minutes on Saturday night. The most important 17 minutes simply weren't included.
Ohio State must avoid mid-season slump or late-season collapse
It'd be best if Ohio State didn't lose three games and put the committee in a tough spot.
The road to running the table from here is a long and winding one, but there aren't any noticeable blunders to fix from Week 2 besides Day potentially getting too involved in the play-calling and unequivocally mismanaging the clock.
When the offense has a big lead, don't play it safe. When the defense is at the goal line with over a minute left, let the opposing offense score and give your star quarterback and all-world receiver a chance to get the job done.
October has Indiana in Bloomington, plus USC in LA on Halloween night. Stealing at least one of those on the road is a must.
Meanwhile, November has the Ducks, which has to be a win after Oregon's shocking loss to Oklahoma State and uninspiring win over Boise State, and TTUN at the "Shoe." Home field must be protected under any circumstances right before the committee congregates.
The road to the CFP is clear. Don't put it in the hands of the CFP selection committee, and win at least 10 games.
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