No matter if you are a Texas fan or a Texas hater, if you watched the Longhorns’ 20-point fourth quarter comeback against number one-ranked Ohio State live, you won’t forget the game for a long time.
To emphasis how improbable the outcome was, checkout this fact: since 2004 the number one ranked team in the AP poll was 197-0 when leading by 20 points or more at any point in the game entering Saturday night. If you need an even bigger sample in the same period, AP top-five teams combined held a record of 816-1 when holding a 20-point lead at any point in the fourth quarter before the Longhorns’ improbable come-from-behind victory, per ESPN.
With the biggest win for Texas in the Arch Manning Era now on their resume, here are 3 takeaways from the Longhorns’ 24-23 shocking comeback victory over the Buckeyes.
Steve Sarkisian Showed Why He’s Considered One of The Best Coaches In The Nation
Even after watching his team make two inexcusable turnovers in their first five offensive plays of the game and not converting a fourth down in the first half, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had the utmost confidence in his offensive unit when the chips were down.
Sarkisian, without hesitation, went for it on fourth and nine late in the third quarter with the ball on Texas’ 42 down by 20 points. He did it again in the fourth quarter on fourth and six on their own 32, down by 13. Both fourth downs were converted as Manning found tight end Emaree Winston for a pivotal nine-yard gain to convert the first one, and made a great throw through traffic to find Emmett Mosley V for 12 yards to convert the second one.
Ninety-eight percent of coaches aren’t making either one of those calls ever; less known in the same game. But Sark did, which not only played a big role in the improbable victory, but showed the country his growth and grit as a coach.
Unlike in past big games, Sark stayed committed to the run which in return kept the Ohio State defense off-balanced enough and allowing Texas to stay balanced throughout their entire comeback. Longhorn running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown combined to rush for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
A lot of pundits and fans around the nation were ready to write Sarkisian off, as a loss in embarrassing fashion would have automatically put him in the hot seat. Instead, the Longhorns are now the newly ranked number one team in the AP Poll and are focused on getting better and riding the positive momentum of this great win heading into SEC conference action.
2. Will Muschamp Must Check Ego Next Time Texas Is In A Big Game
For someone who has been singing the praises of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp all summer, it was extremely disappointing to watch him pick his ego (aka his scheme) over common sense.
It’s universally known Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a generational talent, the best wideout in the nation, and will be a top 5 pick in next year’s NFL draft. Despite this knowledge, Muschamp refused to double-bracket the super star wideout who obliged by playing pitch and catch with Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in the first half.
When Smith walked into the locker room at halftime, he had already caught six passes for 110 yards including a 23-yard touchdown catch right before halftime to give Ohio State a big 20-3 lead. The Buckeye’s lead wideout was so dominant, he had more receiving yards than the entire Texas offense midway throw the third quarter.
Fortunately for the Longhorns, Muschamp started using common sense and doubled Smith more in the second half and Texas got a huge performance from Rutgers transfer cornerback Bo Mascoe who held up in single coverage on big downs in the fourth quarter. Going forward, Muschamp and his crew will need to adjust sooner to future opponents’ talent versus thinking they are going to run their scheme and do what they do no matter who their opponent is.
3. Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo Melted Down On The Big Stage
After showing flashes that they can be the best receiving duo in the country last week, Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo each let down Texas in big moments in the first half.
Coleman’s moment was the ultimate lowlight as he slipped and dropped what would have been a 40-yard plus gain and quite possibly a touchdown, which somehow turned into an interception on the Longhorns fifth play from scrimmage. While Wingo, who had a major case of the drops last season, dropped a pivotal potential momentum changing touchdown later in the half.
If Texas plans to live up to their number one ranking, the duo of Coleman and Wingo must live up to the hype and produce at the level they are paid to produce. Combining for 71 receiving yards will not be enough to consistently beat the Tennessees, Oklahomas, LSUs and Texas A&Ms of the world, which are all part of their SEC schedule.
Hopefully this was just a bump in the road for the Longhorns’ dynamic receiving duo as they will be leaned on heavily in Texas’ marathon SEC schedule.
