Texas is trending because the Longhorns beat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 after overcoming a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit, then rose to No. 1 in the AP Top 25. Arch Manning helped lead the turnaround from a 23-3 deficit, directing scoring drives of 15, 13 and 12 plays. The comeback and the change at the top of the rankings are the main reasons Texas is drawing attention.
The result also had a major effect on Ohio State, pushing the Buckeyes out of the top five for the first time in two seasons. Beyond the game and rankings, Texas attracted coverage for taking a jab at Ohio State afterward, topping ESPN’s roundup of Week 2 college football trolls. Together, the dramatic finish, Manning’s fourth-quarter performance and the postgame taunting explain the focus on Texas.