Texas coach Steve Sarkisian secured a vital home win against Ohio State, marking the first FBS team since at least 2004 to overcome a 20-point deficit against an AP No. 1 opponent. The Longhorns' 21-point fourth-quarter surge, led by quarterback Arch Manning, positions them as early College Football Playoff contenders. Ohio State coach Ryan Day acknowledged his team must "own everything" for its fourth-quarter collapse, but the Buckeyes (1-1) remain in contention due to their narrow road loss to a likely No. 1 team.

Miami (2-0) emerges as a dominant force, having beaten Stanford and Florida A&M by a combined 122-13 margin. Texas' win over Ohio State could prove pivotal in seeding, especially if they capture the Big Ten title. The Longhorns' toughest remaining game is Nov. 14 at LSU, while Ohio State faces a critical stretch including games at Indiana and USC before a home matchup with Oregon.

Selection criteria emphasize quality wins and margin for error, with Texas now holding the early advantage.