Texas Claims No. 1 After Historic Comeback Over Ohio State

On September 12, 2026 in Austin, Texas, the Longhorns erased a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the top-ranked Buckeyes 24-23. Ohio State led 23-3 entering the final period; Texas scored three unanswered touchdowns, the last a 1-yard run by running back Hollywood Smothers with 25 seconds remaining. A missed 45-yard field-goal attempt by Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins set up the decisive drive. The win propelled Texas to No. 1 in both the Associated Press and US LBM Coaches polls, while Ohio State fell to No. 6.

Texas Longhorns Move To No. 1 In AP Top 25 KCRA 3ESPNCFB Week 2 Superlatives: Texas' Comeback, Michigan's Redemption, Oregon's Collapse Columbus DispatchTexas takes over top spot in Week 3 college football rankings Texas climbs to No. 1 in ESPN’s updated power rankings after Week 2 NBC 5 - Dallas - Fort Worth - KXAS

The game was the only top-10 matchup of Week 2. Texas entered ranked No. 4 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the Coaches poll after a 2-0 start; Ohio State was No. 1 in both polls. The rally marked Texas’ fifth 20-point comeback in program history and the largest fourth-quarter comeback to beat an AP No. 1 team, according to Sportradar.

ESPN

• AP poll: Texas received 1,678 points and 56 first-place votes; Ohio State dropped to 1,407 points (No. 6).

Columbus Dispatch

• US LBM Coaches poll: Texas earned 42 first-place votes (1,804 total points); Ohio State fell to 1,480 points.

Columbus Dispatch

• Since 2004, AP top-five teams holding a 20-point fourth-quarter lead were 0-197; the Longhorns broke that streak.

ESPN

• Texas’ comeback featured 21 fourth-quarter points and 128 rushing yards by Smothers and Raleek Brown combined.

No. 4 Texas 24, No. 1 Ohio State 23: Three things we learned

• Arch Manning finished 23-of-37 for 195 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 278 yards and Jeremiah Smith caught 8 passes for 164 yards and a TD.

Texas Longhorns Move To No. 1 In AP Top 25

Longhorn quarterback Arch Manning described the moment the comeback clicked: “When that happened, I knew it was our time,” and added, “We found a way to win.”

Associated Press

Human polls rank Texas No. 1 based on win-loss record and voter perception, while the ESPN FPI model ranks Ohio State No. 2 using efficiency metrics. No single source reconciles these methodologies, leaving a gap in how the postseason selection committee will weigh computer rankings against poll positions.

Sports Illustrated

• “When that happened, I knew it was our time,” — Arch Manning

Associated Press

• “We found a way to win,” — Arch Manning

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Texas returns next week to host UTSA, a test of whether the Longhorns can sustain momentum. The schedule also includes road contests at Tennessee, Oklahoma, and the Red River showdown with Texas A&M, all of which will influence its standing in the College Football Playoff race. Ohio State must rebound quickly, with a road game at Kent State on the horizon, to preserve its CFP aspirations.

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