FINEBAUM CRITICISES RYAN DAY'S FOURTH-DOWN CALL IN OHIO STATE LOSS

Ohio State lost to Texas 24-23 after leading by 20 points in the fourth quarter, ending a run in which teams holding such a lead at that stage had gone 197-0 since 2004, according to figures cited in coverage of the game. The result also ended an Ohio State record of 309-0 when leading by 17 or more points at halftime. Analyst Paul Finebaum, speaking on The Matt Barrie Show on 13 September, said a decision by head coach Ryan Day in the first half contributed to the defeat. Early in the second quarter, with Ohio State leading 10-0 and facing fourth-and-two from the Texas 13-yard line, Day chose to go for the first down rather than attempt a field goal. The play gained one yard, and Ohio State turned the ball over on downs. Texas won the game on a one-yard touchdown run by Hollywood Smothers with 25 seconds remaining.

Finebaum said that had Ohio State taken the field goal, the score would have stood at 13-0, and described the fourth-down decision as feeding into what he called a collapse for the programme. He said Ohio State could not afford the loss given what he described as a difficult remaining schedule. Ohio State had led 23-3 after three quarters and outgained Texas 240-97 in the first half, with Texas managing only a field goal until Connor Hawkins kicked a 48-yard field goal early in the third quarter. Day said afterwards that his team played well for three quarters but not in the fourth, and said Ohio State stalled on several offensive drives.

The loss was also cited by commentators as a sign of a shift in college football form, with the SEC's record against Power Four opponents improving to 8-2 and Texas's win featuring in wider discussion of playoff positioning. Ohio State's place among leading teams faces scrutiny following the result. No further comment from Day on personnel or tactical changes was reported.