Texas' Sarkisian Defends Ohio State, Buckeyes Shouldn't Be 'Punished' by CFP Committee for Loss

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian doesn't believe the College Football Playoff Committee should punish Ohio State for Saturday's 24-23 loss in Austin.

"I hope Ohio State does not get punished for that game Saturday night," he told reporters Monday. "They played a heck of a game. I mean, it's 24-23. They lose scoring with 25 seconds to go in the game. That 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. And so they should not be punished. Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this game against us."

While Sarkisian's comments were gracious, they may have also been a bit pointed after Texas lost 14-7 in Columbus last season, ultimately finished the regular season 9-3 and were ranked No. 13, leaving them out of the College Football Playoff.

Granted, it was a bad loss against a Florida team (which ultimately finished 4-8) that likely soured Texas in the eyes of voters. Plus, a pair of two-loss teams ranked above Texas—Notre Dame and BYU—also failed to get in the CFP. While three-loss Alabama did get in, the third loss came in the SEC Championship Game.

As for Ohio State, the Associated Press voters didn't dock the Buckeyes too harshly for Saturday's loss, dropping them from No. 1 to No. 6. Texas, meanwhile, jumped from No. 4 to No. 1.

Ohio State has to run a Big Ten gauntlet this season, however, with matchups against Iowa, Indiana, USC, Oregon and Michigan yet to come. All five teams are currently ranked in the top 25.

The Buckeyes don't have much margin for error left, in other words, though they are also loaded with talent. But Sarkisian doesn't believe a close loss in Austin should be held against them.