Many anticipated that the loser of Saturday’s Ohio State vs. Texas game would face a significant setback in their national championship aspirations. Entering the fourth quarter, it seemed likely that Texas would be the unfortunate team. However, the Longhorns defied expectations with a remarkable three-touchdown performance, transforming a 20-point deficit into a stunning victory. Ohio State was left with a disappointing upset loss, while Texas quarterback Arch Manning found redemption after last year’s 14-7 opening game defeat to OSU.
Manning expressed his pride, saying, “I’m just so proud of our guys in all three phases. It wasn’t very pretty, but we found a way to win. That’s what good teams do. We’ve got a bunch of good players. Lot of leaders. It’s going to be a fun night. I had nightmares about that game last year. So, we finally got a good win tonight. Gonna have a good night in Austin.”
The victory provided Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Manning with a crucial win previously absent from their records. It also established Texas as a legitimate contender for the national championship. Within 24 hours of the win, Texas saw its championship odds increase from 11% to 17%, according to Polymarket. Ohio State’s odds also rose from 12% to 14%, matching Notre Dame for the second highest in the nation.
In addition to improved title odds, Texas’s thrilling win impacted their rankings. The Longhorns soared to No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll, and they are now positioned at No. 2 in ESPN’s FPI Top 25 Rankings.