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Sarkisian: Ohio St. should be rewarded for playing Texas
Confirmed
In Short: Ohio State coach Steve Sarkisian called for the team to be rewarded for their close loss to Texas, warning that future scheduling could be affected if they face punishment.
Ohio State coach Steve Sarkisian urged the selection committee to reward his team for their close loss to Texas, stating, 'I hope Ohio State doesn't get punished for playing that game Saturday night.' Sarkisian added, 'Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this type of game against us.
Sarkisian expressed concern that teams might start scheduling fewer big non-conference games if the committee only considers the number of losses, saying, 'If they don't reward them for playing in the game, then all of us start playing FCS and [Group of] Six.
Recalling his experience as a coach who felt dinged for a close loss against a marquee opponent, Sarkisian hopes the Buckeyes avoid punishment, especially if they finish the season with multiple losses. He argued, 'Anything after that is up for discussion.
Sarkisian also noted that playing a road game in Austin should be viewed as a positive. In the wake of the game, Sarkisian spent a portion of his Monday press conference advocating on behalf of the Buckeyes.
What's confirmed
- Ohio State coach Steve Sarkisian urged the selection committee to reward his team for their close loss to Texas, stating, 'I hope Ohio State doesn't get punished for playing that game Saturday night.' Sarkisian added, 'Quite frankly, Ohio State should be rewarded for playing in this type of game against us.
- Sarkisian expressed concern that teams might start scheduling fewer big non-conference games if the committee only considers the number of losses, saying, 'If they don't reward them for playing in the game, then all of us start playing FCS and [Group of] Six.
- Recalling his experience as a coach who felt dinged for a close loss against a marquee opponent, Sarkisian hopes the Buckeyes avoid punishment, especially if they finish the season with multiple losses. He argued, 'Anything after that is up for discussion.
- Sarkisian also noted that playing a road game in Austin should be viewed as a positive. In the wake of the game, Sarkisian spent a portion of his Monday press conference advocating on behalf of the Buckeyes.
What's still developing
- Sarkisian is speaking from experience because he found out firsthand what it was like to be on the losing end of this game last season.
- "This isn't crying over spilled milk," Sarkisian said.
- On Monday, Sarkisian recalled how he felt last season, when the 9-3 Longhorns finished just outside the playoff.
- The ESPN broadcast showed Sarkisian run through the tunnel as sideline reporter Laura Rutledge tried to track him down.
- Rutledge explained that Sarkisian waited for a while before the broadcast turned to him.
- "I do want to make sure we clear something up. (Sarkisian) did decline the interview at the half. He had waited a long time, been very patient with some technical issues that we had. He apologized to us. We should be apologizing to him, which we did," she said.