Steve Sarkisian defends Ohio State after road loss — and shades CFP for 2025 snub

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."

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…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/