I still can’t believe Ohio State lost this game.
The No. 1 team in the country walked into Austin, dominated Texas for three quarters and entered the fourth with a 23-3 lead.
Twenty points.
One quarter to play.
Game over, right?
Apparently not.
Ohio State proceeded to completely collapse, allowing 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and somehow losing 24-23.
And we’re not talking about some random blown lead.
This was historic.
Before Saturday, AP No. 1 teams were 197-0 since 2004 when holding a 20-point fourth-quarter lead. Texas became the first team in that span to come back and win.
That’s how bad this choke job was.
Ohio State had Texas completely broken. The Longhorns turned the ball over twice on their first five plays, struggled offensively for most of the night and were getting booed by their own fans.
Then Ohio State basically invited them back into the game.
The Buckeyes became conservative offensively. The defense couldn’t get off the field. And suddenly Arch Manning looked completely different.
Texas put together touchdown drives of 91, 72 and 73 yards in the fourth quarter. Ohio State knew exactly what was happening and still couldn’t stop it.
Even worse, Ohio State had an opportunity to essentially put the game away late.
Instead, Connor Hawkins missed a 45-yard field goal with 4:16 remaining.
Texas responded by marching down the field again, and Hollywood Smothers scored from one yard out with 25 seconds remaining to give the Longhorns the lead.
Then Julian Sayin’s desperation pass was intercepted.
Done.
23-3 became 23-24.
Ryan Day admitted afterward that Ohio State had Texas “on the ropes” and simply didn’t finish.
That’s putting it lightly.
For a program with Ohio State’s talent and expectations, this is one of the worst choke jobs in recent college football memory.
Give Texas credit. Manning was incredible when it mattered, and the Longhorns never quit.
But Ohio State absolutely handed them the opportunity.
You cannot be the No. 1 team in America, lead another national championship contender by 20 points entering the fourth quarter and lose.
Ohio State didn’t just lose its No. 1 ranking Saturday night.
The Buckeyes produced a collapse people are going to remember for a very long time.
