Texas football’s 28-14 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals ends their hopes of winning a national championship.
For the Texas Longhorns, the dream of returning to national championship glory ended with a 28-14 loss to Ohio State in the 2024 College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. The defeat, while not entirely unexpected given the caliber of their opponent, was another painful reminder of Texas’ failure to capitalize on its considerable potential. After an up-and-down season, the Longhorns entered the postseason with high hopes, and for a brief moment, it felt as though they might be poised to break through and finally end their 15-year championship drought. But against a well-rounded, playoff-tested Ohio State team, Texas came up short — again.
The loss raised more questions than answers for Steve Sarkisian’s squad, which entered the CFP with a strong sense of momentum but ultimately failed to live up to the high expectations. In this analysis, we’ll break down what went wrong for Texas, examine the standout moments that defined the game, and look at how the Longhorns can regroup and build for the future as they look to rebound in 2025.
The Stakes: Texas on the Brink of Championship Glory
Coming into the season, the Texas Longhorns had one clear goal: win a national championship. Steve Sarkisian, entering his fourth year at the helm, had assembled a roster brimming with talent on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, a Heisman hopeful, led a high-powered offense that boasted explosive playmakers like running back Bijan Robinson (now in the NFL) and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Meanwhile, a defense led by linebacker Jaylan Ford and a revamped defensive line had shown significant improvement under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.
For much of the 2024 season, it seemed as though the Longhorns were on the verge of greatness. They rolled through the regular season, finishing with just one loss — a heartbreaking defeat to arch-rival Oklahoma — and earned a coveted spot in the CFP. A trip to the national championship game was within reach, and for fans in Austin, the hope that this could finally be the year the program broke through to its former glory was palpable.
But as Texas prepared for the College Football Playoff, the specter of past disappointments loomed large. Texas had been to the CFP before, only to see their championship hopes dashed in disappointing fashion. Would history repeat itself, or was this finally the moment the Longhorns lived up to their potential?
Unfortunately, the answer was the former.
Ohio State: A Gritty, Championship-Caliber Team
Ohio State entered the CFP with the weight of history and expectations on its shoulders. The Buckeyes had suffered a tough loss to Michigan earlier in the season, but they bounced back with an impressive run through the Big Ten Championship Game and a strong showing in the CFP selection committee’s rankings. Head coach Ryan Day had a team filled with NFL-caliber talent, including quarterback Kyle McCord, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and a fearsome defensive unit led by pass rusher J.T. Tuimoloau.
Unlike Texas, Ohio State had the experience of competing on the biggest stage, and it showed in their preparation and execution. While Texas was undoubtedly talented, the Buckeyes were battle-tested, with a roster accustomed to handling the immense pressure that comes with playoff football. They came into the game with the kind of confidence and poise that a program of Ohio State’s pedigree demands, and they took control of the contest early.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Ohio State’s physicality and execution would be difficult for Texas to overcome. The Longhorns, while certainly capable of hanging with the Buckeyes, struggled to match Ohio State’s intensity and consistency on both sides of the ball.
First Half: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
The first half of the game was a microcosm of Texas’ season — plenty of promise but ultimately falling short in key moments.
On offense, Quinn Ewers showed flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency plagued his performance. He finished the first half with 150 passing yards, but he also threw an interception at a critical juncture, one that was returned deep into Texas territory. The turnover gave Ohio State excellent field position, and they capitalized with a touchdown that put the Buckeyes up 14-7 midway through the second quarter.
In addition to the turnover, Texas’ offensive line struggled to protect Ewers. Ohio State’s defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage for much of the first half, getting consistent pressure on Ewers and forcing him to make hurried throws. Although Ewers demonstrated good poise under pressure, he could not overcome the Buckeyes’ relentless pass rush.
Bijan Robinson, perhaps the most dynamic player on the Texas offense, was held largely in check throughout the first half. While he did manage a couple of explosive runs, Ohio State’s defensive line played disciplined football, closing down running lanes and limiting Robinson’s ability to break off long gains. Texas’ inability to establish the run early hampered their offensive rhythm, as the Longhorns were forced to play catch-up for most of the game.
On defense, Texas was not without its own struggles. Although the Longhorns had shown improvement defensively throughout the season, they were unable to contain Ohio State’s explosive plays. Kyle McCord, Ohio State’s quarterback, wasn’t always flashy, but he was efficient, completing 22 of 28 passes in the first half for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. TreVeyon Henderson also had success running the football, gaining crucial yards in key moments to keep the Longhorns’ defense on its heels.
Texas’ defense showed moments of resilience, but it often failed to get off the field on third downs, allowing Ohio State to sustain drives and drain clock. This played into the Buckeyes’ game plan of controlling possession and dictating tempo, frustrating Texas’ defense and giving the offense fewer opportunities to respond.
At halftime, Ohio State held a 21-7 lead, and while the Longhorns were still within striking distance, the sense of urgency was palpable.
Second Half: The Longhorns’ Downfall
The second half began with Texas attempting to claw back into the game, but mistakes continued to plague their efforts. After a promising opening drive that ended in a field goal, Texas cut the deficit to 21-10 and seemed poised for a comeback. However, they were unable to capitalize on a critical stop by the defense.
On the ensuing drive, Ohio State responded with a methodical and physical march down the field, capping it off with a 15-yard touchdown run by Henderson. The score put Ohio State up 28-10, and the Longhorns were left in a familiar position: trying to play catch-up against a team that seemed to have an answer for every challenge they presented.
Quinn Ewers, to his credit, didn’t back down. He connected with Xavier Worthy for a beautiful 40-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 28-14. But it wasn’t enough. The Texas offense, while capable of explosive plays, was too inconsistent in critical moments. Ohio State’s defense continued to apply pressure, stifling the Longhorns’ attempts to string together a meaningful drive.
As time ticked away, the reality of Texas’ situation set in. Despite their talent and potential, the Longhorns had fallen short once again. Ohio State had executed when it mattered most, and Texas had simply failed to make enough plays to stay in the game.
Key Takeaways: What Went Wrong for Texas?
- Turnovers and Inconsistency: One of the biggest issues for Texas in this game was turnovers. Ewers’ interception in the first half shifted momentum in Ohio State’s favor, and the inability to protect the ball throughout the game cost the Longhorns valuable opportunities. The offense was explosive at times, but inconsistency in key moments prevented them from finding a rhythm.
- Offensive Line Play: Ohio State’s defensive line won the battle at the line of scrimmage, pressuring Ewers and limiting the running game. Texas’ offensive line, which had been solid throughout the season, struggled to hold up against the Buckeyes’ physical front. This forced Texas to abandon its balanced approach and become too one-dimensional.
- Defensive Struggles: While Texas’ defense wasn’t necessarily bad, they struggled to get stops in critical moments. Ohio State converted several third-and-long situations and controlled the tempo of the game with their methodical offensive approach. Texas simply couldn’t get off the field, and that allowed Ohio State to maintain possession and dictate the flow of the game.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Texas?
Despite the disappointment, Texas’ future remains bright. The Longhorns have a talented roster, and with several key players returning in 2025, including Ewers and a promising young defense, they remain a strong contender in the Big 12 and on the national stage. But they must continue to grow and develop, learning from their mistakes in the 2024 CFP semifinal.
The loss to Ohio State was another painful chapter in Texas’ quest to return to college football’s elite. However, it also served as a valuable learning experience. If Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns can address their inconsistencies, tighten up their execution, and continue to recruit at a high level, the hope remains that this program can break through the ceiling and capture the elusive national championship that’s been so long awaited.
For now, Texas must regroup, learn from this defeat, and refocus their efforts on the 2025 season. The road to the top remains a challenging one, but the Longhorns are still on track to be a force in college football for years to come.
