Daily News 19

Tag: College Football Playoff

  • Steve Sarkisian Echoes Nick Saban, Urges CFP Committee Not to Overreact to Texas Longhorns’ Big Win

    Steve Sarkisian Echoes Nick Saban, Urges CFP Committee Not to Overreact to Texas Longhorns’ Big Win

    Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is urging the College Football Playoff selection committee to avoid penalizing Ohio State following the Buckeyes’ narrow 24-23 road loss to his No. 4 team in Austin last Saturday. The dramatic comeback victory, engineered by quarterback Arch Manning, vaulted Texas to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll while Ohio State tumbled five places to No. 6.

    Sarkisian Advocates for “Quality Loss” Consideration

    During his Monday press conference, Sarkisian made a forceful case that the CFP committee should evaluate Ohio State’s performance in context rather than simply reacting to the result. The Longhorns coach emphasized the difficulty of winning in the hostile, late-summer environment at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

    “I hope Ohio State doesn’t get punished for playing that game Saturday night. They played a heck of a game. It’s 24-23. They lose with us scoring with 25 seconds left to go in the game. I hope, if they end up being a 9-3 team, that the committee can appreciate that they came to Austin, Texas, in September when it was 100 degrees and played us in that environment and played a heck of a game. They should not be punished… Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this type of game against us”

    Historical Context Shapes Coach’s Perspective

    Sarkisian’s stance is informed by recent history. He referenced Texas’s season-opening visit to Ohio State in 2023, a game the Longhorns lost narrowly on the road. Sarkisian felt that competitive loss was not adequately valued by the CFP committee last season, contributing to Texas’s exclusion from the playoff. He is now advocating for a consistent standard that rewards teams for scheduling and competing in high-stakes non-conference matchups.

    Alignment with Broader Coaching Sentiment

    The Longhorns coach’s argument mirrors comments made by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban during ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast last weekend. Saban emphasized that “quality losses” — competitive defeats against elite opposition — deserve greater weight in the committee’s evaluation process. Sarkisian’s public support for this framework signals a growing consensus among top-tier programs that the current selection methodology may undervalue strength of schedule and game competitiveness.

    With the expanded 12-team playoff format debuting this season, the definition of a “quality loss” and its impact on at-large bids will be a central storyline throughout the campaign. Sarkisian’s early advocacy sets the tone for how Texas — and potentially other programs — will frame their resumes come selection Sunday.

  • Sarkisian: Ohio State Should Be Rewarded for Playing Texas

    Sarkisian: Ohio State Should Be Rewarded for Playing Texas

    Steve Sarkisian Urges CFP Committee to Reward Ohio State for Nonconference Road Test

    AUSTIN, Texas — Following a dramatic 24-23 comeback victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that the Buckeyes should be rewarded for scheduling a marquee nonconference matchup.

    “I hope Ohio State does not get punished for that game Saturday night. They played a heck of a game. I mean, it’s 24-23, they lose to us scoring with 25 seconds to go in the game,” Sarkisian said. “I hope if they end up being a 9-3 team, the committee can appreciate the fact that they came to Austin, Texas, in September when it was 100 degrees and played us in that environment and played a heck of a game.”

    Sarkisian referenced last season, when a College Football Playoff spot hinged on Texas’ early 14-7 loss to Ohio State in Columbus.

    “Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us,” Sarkisian said Monday. “Time will tell. And this isn’t crying over spilled milk. I don’t think we got rewarded for going to Columbus last year in Week 1. Hopefully, this year they reward Ohio State for coming and playing in this game with us.”

    Ohio State fell to No. 6 in The Associated Press Top 25 after the loss. Sarkisian acknowledged the conversation becomes moot if the Buckeyes finish 11-1, but emphasized his program actively seeks high-stakes games. He noted the Texas brand attracts national television interest and that his roster is built for these moments.

    “That’s why you come to Texas, to play in these big games,” Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning said Monday. “I think it helps our team, builds confidence that we can win in any way. We can be down, we can be not playing well, but we can find ways to win. I think that’s what builds confidence in those big games.”

    After Texas scored 21 points in the final quarter to secure the win, Manning sprinted across the field in celebration as the clock expired.

    “That was the most fun ending to a game I’ve ever had,” he said. “I did not know what to do. I was just running around.”

    Sarkisian: Heavyweight Matchups Must Be Valued, Not Penalized

    Sarkisian framed the broader issue: marquee nonconference games should strengthen a team’s resume rather than damage it.

    “Everybody loves those matchups,” Sarkisian said. “Well, if we want to continue with those matchups, we’ve got to reward the teams for playing in those games … because if they don’t reward them for playing in the game, then all of us start playing FCS, [Group of] 6, and then I don’t think that’s the product that we want in college football.”

    He contrasted college football’s subjective selection process with the NFL’s objective criteria.

    “We’re not the NFL where it’s all based on, ‘What’s your record? Who did you beat?’” he said. “You make the playoffs based off of opinions of others, essentially, unless you win your conference.”

    Texas Reaches No. 1 in AP Poll; Sarkisian Preaches Focus

    The victory propelled the Longhorns to No. 1 in this week’s AP poll, marking the third consecutive season Texas has held the top spot. Sarkisian downplayed the ranking two games into the season.

    “A week ago, the narrative was we can’t win the big game,” Sarkisian said. “How are we going to beat Ohio State? What are we going to do? Now we’re the best team in the country allegedly and everybody’s patting us on the back. Two polar opposites of where we are. We need to stay right here, and we need to stay enamored with what we need to do.”

  • Ohio State vs. Texas: Latest Battle Between Heisman Trophy Hopefuls

    Ohio State vs. Texas: Latest Battle Between Heisman Trophy Hopefuls

    One of the most anticipated matchups of the early 2026 college football season kicks off Saturday night as No. 1 Ohio State travels to Austin to face No. 4 Texas. Beyond the immediate implications for top-25 polling and College Football Playoff seeding, the showdown at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium carries significant weight in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

    Star Power Concentrated in Austin

    The combined talent on the field represents a rare convergence of preseason award favorites. According to ESPN Research, 30% of the 10 players with the highest preseason odds to win the Heisman Trophy will participate in this nonconference clash. Texas quarterback Arch Manning enters as a primary contender, while Ohio State counters with quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith forming a dynamic passing duo.

    This matchup marks just the fourth game in the past 10 seasons where three or more top-10 Heisman odds candidates squared off in August or September. The historical precedent offers intriguing, though not definitive, clues about how such head-to-head battles influence the eventual voting.

    Recent History: Ohio State vs. Texas, 2025

    The most recent example is practically déjà vu. Last season, these same two programs met in Week 1 with an identical trio of Heisman hopefuls: Manning (preseason favorite at +650), Smith (fourth at 11-1), and Sayin (tied for eighth at 22-1).

    The game itself was a defensive struggle, with Ohio State prevailing 14-7. The Buckeyes’ representatives fared better in December’s Heisman voting. Sayin earned a trip to New York as a finalist, finishing fourth, while Smith placed sixth. Manning, despite the preseason hype, did not finish in the top 10. Colorado’s Travis Hunter ultimately claimed the award.

    Alabama vs. Texas, 2022: Four Contenders, One Thriller

    The 2022 Week 2 meeting between the Crimson Tide and Longhorns featured an even deeper Heisman field. Four players ranked among the top 10 betting favorites: Alabama’s Bryce Young (co-favorite) and Will Anderson Jr. (tied for sixth), and Texas’s Bijan Robinson (eighth) and Quinn Ewers (tied for 10th).

    The game delivered high drama, with both teams exchanging go-ahead field goals in the final two minutes. Young engineered a clutch scramble to set up Alabama’s game-winning kick as time expired. Despite the signature moment, Young did not secure a second consecutive Heisman, finishing sixth in the final vote tally — the highest among the four participants. Robinson followed at ninth. USC quarterback Caleb Williams took home the trophy.

    Ohio State vs. Oklahoma, 2017: Mayfield’s Moment

    The 2017 early-season blue-blood battle in Columbus featured three contenders clustered in the middle of the top 10: Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and J.K. Dobbins (both tied for fifth) and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield (fourth).

    Oklahoma dominated, winning 31-16. Mayfield stole the show, throwing for 386 yards and three touchdowns before famously planting a Sooners flag at midfield. That performance foreshadowed a successful campaign; the senior quarterback captured the Heisman that December. Neither Barrett nor Dobbins finished among the top vote-getters.

    What History Suggests for 2026

    With a sample size of only three games, drawing firm conclusions is difficult. However, the pattern suggests that a standout performance in a high-stakes, early-season showcase can catalyze a Heisman run — as seen with Mayfield in 2017. Conversely, winning the game does not guarantee the award, and preseason favorites like Manning in 2025 can fade if production doesn’t match expectations.

    For Sayin, Smith, and Manning, Saturday night offers the first major opportunity to separate from the pack. The winner of this matchup will gain early momentum, but as the past decade shows, the Heisman race is a marathon that extends well beyond September.

  • Oklahoma’s John Mateer Aims to Prove Doubters Wrong in 2026

    Oklahoma’s John Mateer Aims to Prove Doubters Wrong in 2026

    The Oklahoma Sooners are one week away from beginning the 2026 college football season, with a College Football Playoff berth among their goals. After a season that generated considerable momentum, Oklahoma enters the new campaign with plenty to prove—particularly at quarterback.

    John Mateer remains Oklahoma’s biggest question

    John Mateer is among the Sooners hoping to silence his critics. He passed for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, producing a campaign defined by significant highs and lows.

    Mateer opened the year as a Heisman Trophy favorite, but his uneven finish led to questions about whether he can lead Oklahoma over the top in the Southeastern Conference.

    ESPN writer Dan Wetzel remains high on the Sooners and has even selected them to win the SEC. However, he acknowledged that Mateer still has more to prove.

    “I really like the Sooners,” Wetzel said via the ‘College GameDay Podcast.’ “I think I picked them to win the SEC. I don’t know if John Mateer… like, I got to see more.”

    Wetzel’s assessment is notable because his uncertainty about Mateer has not kept him from choosing Oklahoma as his SEC champion. His prediction suggests he believes the Sooners have enough talent around their quarterback to compete for the conference title, even if Mateer must take another step forward.

    Oklahoma’s SEC ceiling depends on offensive consistency

    Oklahoma’s defense should once again provide a strong foundation, but the offense will need to become more consistent. Mateer’s performance will be central to that improvement after his uneven 2025 season.

    The Sooners have enough talent to be taken seriously in the SEC, and Wetzel’s conference prediction highlights their potential. The remaining question is whether Mateer can provide the stability Oklahoma needs to turn that potential into a College Football Playoff-caliber season.

    Oklahoma’s fall camp has featured quarterback John Mateer, tight ends coach Jason Witten and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, along with players including Bishop Thomas, Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, E’Marion Harris, Darius Afalava, Jacob Jordan, Ace Hodges, Gunnar Allen, Ryan Fodje, Caleb Nitta, Kenny Ozowalu, Jett Niu, Jonathan Hatton Jr., Xavier Robinson and DeZephen Walker.

    Follow @SoonersWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like the publication’s page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. Jaron can also be followed on X at @jaronspor.