A season-opening loss in an earlier era of college football — like, say, 2023 — could have shattered a team’s dreams. No invitation to the College Football Playoff, no chance to play for a championship, no confetti falling from the rafters.
But in the second season of a 12-team CFP, a result like Texas football’s 14-7 setback at Ohio State can serve as a learning lesson for a team still eyeing the ultimate goal of a national title, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said.
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Not that senior defensive end Ethan Burke cared for such platitudes outside a dirge-quiet Texas locker room Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
“We’re competitors at the end of the day, and this one hurts as much as any of the others,” said Burke, referring to the five other losses the Longhorns have endured since the start of the 2023 season. “We never want to lose a game. We want to be perfect. It’s hard to be perfect, but today we were far from it, and we’ve just got to keep fighting and get better.”
The Texas Longhorns take the field ahead of their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) hurdles defense from Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) catches a pass in the end-zone to score as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) defends in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) warms up ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) take the field in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) breaks up a pass aimed for Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Bennett Christian (85) in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) catches the snap in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) spots a lane to run through in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Ohio Stadium is reflected in the sunglasses of an Ohio State fan as they play the Texas Longhorns in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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The Texas Longhorns play the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) brings down Ohio State Buckeyes running back James Peoples (20) in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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An Ohio State fan reacts as an interception call is reviewed and overturned in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian throws up a “Horns Up” after speaking to the referees in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) carries the ball as he celebrates an interception in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Jimmy Lee, who drove from Dripping Springs, shows of his T-shirt in support of quarterback Arch Manning (16) as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) brings down Ohio State Buckeyes running back James Peoples (20) in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Matthew McConaughey chats on the sideline as the Texas Longhorns prepare to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian heads into the locker room after arriving at Ohio Stadium ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) heads into the locker room while warming up ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) hands the ball off to Ohio State Buckeyes running back Anthony Rogers (21) in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Legendary coach and analyst Lee Corso leaves the field after making his final pick, choosing Ohio State to win, ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Kent and Andrea Thompson, from Dallas, take a photo in front of the stadium as the Texas Longhorns prepare to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025. The Thompson are attending to support their nephew, offensive lineman Connor Stroh (79).
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Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Cole Hutson (54) lifts wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) after Livingstone’s touchdown late in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Football fans walk through the tailgating area as the Texas Longhorns prepare to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Liona Lefau (18) celebrates a defensive play in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) catches a snap in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (18) makes a tackle in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) carries the ball as he celebrates an interception in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott watches the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Travis Shaw (44) celebrates a defensive play in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries (88) catches a pass and is brought down by Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) goes down after a defensive effort from Ohio State Buckeyes linebackers Arvell Reese (8) and Payton Pierce (26) as well as safety Jaylen McClain (18) in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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The Ohio State defense work to bring down Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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The Texas offense leaves the field in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks past Ohio State fans flashing “Horns Down” as he heads to the locker room after losing 14-7 to the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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The Texas Longhorns sing “The Eyes of Texas” after falling 14-7 to the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Things could certainly get better when it comes to postseason hopes for Texas, which dropped from No. 1 to No. 7 in this week’s Associated Press poll. The Longhorns still have a clear path to a CFP selection. They would get an automatic berth by winning the SEC and they’d still likely nab one of the dozen CFP spots even if they drop one more game.
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But the Longhorns’ schedule includes some tricky road trips, including visits to Georgia and Florida as well as the annual bloodletting in Dallas against what could be a resurgent Oklahoma program. And don’t forget about playing host to Texas A&M, which desperately wants to hand the second-year SEC rival Longhorns some comeuppance after falling at home a year ago.
Lose two of those games, and Texas will probably miss the playoffs with a 9-3 record, which is what happened to fellow SEC programs Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss a year ago.
MORE: Who are the potential unsung heroes for the 2025 Texas Longhorns?
Steve Sarkisian: Ohio State loss shouldn’t ‘punish’ Texas football
Sarkisian said before his team’s visit to Ohio that “I just don’t think either us or Ohio State, for that matter, is going to get punished for playing in this game from a CFP standpoint.”
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But the contest could serve as a crucial tiebreaker of sorts between Texas and the Buckeyes come postseason selection time. If Ohio State finished 9-3 in the regular season after dropping three games in a grueling Big Ten, would it edge out a Texas squad that loses two SEC games for a CFP spot? Would a 10-2 Buckeyes team that fails to reach the Big Ten title game get a better seed than a 12-1 Texas squad that wins the SEC?
After his team’s loss, Sarkisian dismissed such playoff chatter. He wants his team to show improvement starting with Saturday’s home opener against San Jose State. Take care of business against every other opponent, Sarkisian told the team Monday, and Texas will eventually get the chance to take care of their ultimate goals.
“I think really good teams get better as the season goes on, and that’s been one of the challenges to the team,” he said. “Who we were Saturday does not have to be who we are this Saturday and the coming weeks. The goal is for each and every person in the organization to get better, to learn from that game. “We’ve got a ton of potential, and now we’ve got to make that come to life.”
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks past Ohio State fans flashing “Horns Down” as he heads to the locker room after losing 14-7 to the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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How early losses impacted CFP in 2024
The current CFP format offers the smallest of sample sizes when it comes to measuring the impact of an early-season loss, but last year’s results are encouraging for the Longhorns. Clemson shook off a lopsided 34-3 defeat to Georgia and eventually beat SMU in the ACC title game before losing to Texas in round one. Notre Dame fell to, of all teams, Northern Illinois in the second week of the season but still earned an at-large spot and played in the title game.
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Both of those teams kept improving in the longest season in college football history, and Burke thinks the 2025 Longhorns will do the same.
“There’s so much more time,” he said. “We’re going to play 15 more games, and we’re going to be fighting for the top spot in the country in a few months.”