Texas Defeated Ohio State in Comeback Win

Texas overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat Ohio State 24-23, resulting in a major shift in the latest college football polls.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football

Expressive sports illustration featuring college football players in orange and scarlet jerseys, capturing the motion and energy of a game. — Texas propelled itself to the No. 1 ranking in both the AP and US LBM Coaches polls following a 24-23 comeback victory against Ohio State. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Texas defeated Ohio State 24-23 after overcoming a 20-point halftime deficit. The victory propelled Texas to the No. 1 position in both the Associated Press and US LBM Coaches polls.

Why it matters

The result fundamentally reshaped the college football landscape as Ohio State fell from the top ranking to No. 6. The dramatic comeback underscores how quickly momentum can shift during high-stakes games when a leading team loses its competitive edge.

Texas completed a 20-point comeback following a 20-3 halftime deficit to secure a 24-23 win. The victory caused Ohio State to slide from No. 1 to No. 6 in the US LBM Coaches and Associated Press polls.

The players

Texas

This collegiate football program moved into the No. 1 ranking across major polls following its recent victory.

Ohio State

This university team saw its ranking drop from No. 1 to No. 6 following a narrow loss.

The details

Despite holding a commanding 20-3 lead at halftime and receiving the opening possession of the second half, Ohio State struggled to maintain control. Texas capitalized on the opportunity, overcoming two early turnovers to gain significant momentum as their opponent faltered on both sides of the ball.

September 19, 2026, marked the reporting of the game result.

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The Big Picture

The game result forces a significant update to the standings currently tracked by the US LBM Coaches poll.

Texas now occupies the No. 1 spot in the national polls, directly impacting the path toward the college football playoff. Ohio State must now secure consecutive wins to reclaim its position in the top five standings.

The takeaway

This game serves as a stark reminder that even a massive halftime lead provides no guarantee of victory in elite college football. Maintaining intensity for all four quarters remains the most critical factor for teams aiming to hold onto a top-tier ranking.