Every Way Arch Manning, Sarkisian, Texas Made History in Epic Comeback Win vs. Ryan Day's Ohio State

Saturday night saw a comeback — or a collapse — for the ages when Texas beat Ohio State 24-23 in Austin.

The Longhorns scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 20-point deficit. The No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 had previously reeled off 197 straight wins when up 20 in the final frame.

That was one of multiple historical metrics pointing to how improbable the outcome was.

Texas running back Hollywood Smothers scored the game-winning touchdown with 25 seconds remaining. Graceson Littleton intercepted a deep pass by OSU quarterback Julian Sayin as time expired.

Ohio State was rolling heading into halftime. Jeremiah Smith's 19-yard touchdown reception put the Buckeyes up 20-3, and they had out-gained the Longhorns 240-97.

This became another case of OSU coach Ryan Day failing to keep his foot on the gas in a big game.

There's just no excuse for Ohio State only scoring three points in the second half. Sure, the outcome would've been different if Connor Hawkins connected on his 45-yard field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter. It never should've come to that, though.

The Buckeyes responded to an even more embarrassing loss to Michigan in 2024 by getting four wins in the College Football Playoff and lifting a national title. They clearly have the talent to run the table.

After Saturday night, though, you wouldn't trust them to avoid another stumble when tough games against Indiana, USC and Oregon are ahead.

From Texas' perspective, this could be a turning point of sorts for coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns got to the CFP semifinal in 2024, but they continue to carry the label of a program that can't meet its lofty expectations.

The Arch Manning skeptics haven't gone away, either. He went 23-of-37 for 195 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Guiding Texas on three straight touchdown drives in the fourth quarter made up for the fact he didn't have a big game in a traditional sense.

The Longhorns have UTSA ahead before they face off with Tennessee, Oklahoma and Ole Miss over a four-game stretch. Those tests will reveal whether Sarkisian's squad is as good as its fans hope after Saturday's comeback.