Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Ohio State should be rewarded rather than penalized for playing a marquee nonconference matchup against the Longhorns, per ESPN. The comment came after Texas defeated Ohio State 24-23 in a comeback victory.

Sarkisian's remarks suggest he believes the strength of schedule and competitive nature of the game should factor positively for the Buckeyes in future evaluations, even with the loss. ESPN also reported that Sarkisian hopes Ohio State does not get punished for the narrow road defeat.

SEC Network analyst Gene Chizik separately highlighted Texas's performance in the game, noting the team's resilience and response in key moments as evidence of a program becoming more equipped for high-stakes competition.