The college football season didn’t waste time giving fans a heavyweight matchup. No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State clashed in what many thought could be a national championship preview.
Instead of fireworks on offense, though, the game turned into a slugfest where defense ruled. In the end, the Buckeyes walked away with a 14-7 win, while Texas walked away with many questions.
Texas Falls to Ohio State, Social Media Buzz on Steve Sarkisian for Loss
All offseason, the buzz was about Arch Manning. The Texas quarterback was already being labeled a Heisman favorite before taking his first snap of the season. But against Ohio State, the spotlight got harsh.
Manning finished with 170 yards, a touchdown, and one interception, solid on paper, but not the type of performance Texas fans had been dreaming about. He wasn’t bad, but he also wasn’t the difference-maker many expected.
Yet if Manning was the headline name, he wasn’t the one most fans pointed the finger at. That blame fell squarely on head coach Steve Sarkisian. Texas’ offense repeatedly stalled in the red zone, and Sarkisian’s play-calling left fans frustrated and confused.
Drives that could have swung the game slipped away, and by the final whistle, social media had already turned him into the night’s main character, not in a good way.
“Steve Sarkisian’s kryptonite is red zone offensive possessions. Not good,” wrote insider Brett McMurphy.
Steve Sarkisian’s kryponite is red zone offensive possessions. Not good
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 30, 2025
Fans piled on with even sharper words. “No bigger rivalry in football than Steve Sarkisian and fourth and goal,” one fan joked, while another bluntly asked, “Is Steve Sarkisian the worst goal-to-go play caller in college football?” Even FanDuel Sportsbook took a dig.
“Steve Sarkisian when it’s time to draw up a play in the redzone,” they posted on X. The frustration comes from expectations.
Steve Sarkisian when it’s time to draw up a play in the redzone pic.twitter.com/oH3V0eAK2w
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 30, 2025
This was supposed to be the year for Texas, with Manning leading the charge, and Sarkisian finally steering the Longhorns back to national glory. The SEC-affiliated Barstool Sports X account posted, “Steve Sarkisian every time he has to call goal-line plays against Ohio State.”
Steve Sarkisian every time he has to call goal-line plays against Ohio State pic.twitter.com/hB5P7xqfwX
— Barstool SEC (@SECBarstool) August 30, 2025
Instead, Saturday left fans wondering if Sarkisian trusts his star quarterback at all. “It’s got to be alarming as a Texas fan to realize that Steve Sarkisian doesn’t trust Arch Manning to make ANY throws,” one user wrote, summing up the unease that hung over the fanbase.
It’s got to be alarming as a Texas fan to realize that Steve Sarkisian doesn’t trust Arch Manning to make ANY throws
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) August 30, 2025
Barely the Beginning of Season, Lots of Work Ahead for Texas
A single defeat doesn’t define a season, but the college season is long. All of Texas’s objectives remain: a postseason berth, a potential championship push, and a Heisman campaign for Manning. Sarkisian is currently in the public eye, and that attention won’t go away unless things in the red zone shift.
The Buckeyes may have walked away with the scoreboard victory, but Sarkisian’s play-calling has become the bigger story, and Texas fans will be watching closely to see if he can flip the script.
