Texas's blue-chip visitors are another example of why big non-conference games still matter

Over the past year, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has gone on a campaign, questioning the point of scheduling big-name, non-conference matchups if the College Football Playoff committee doesn't show an appreciation or understanding for them.

In other words, what's the point of risking a loss to a team like... Ohio State, for example... if you could instead schedule a cupcake opponent like... Sam Houston State, for example... and finish the regular season with an unblemished record?

He has a point. Just last year, Texas lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes, but defeated CFP-bound teams like the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas A&M Aggies, and missed out on the playoffs.

But that's beside the point. No matter how you feel about whether the Horns should have made the playoff last year or not, even Sarkisian is still benefiting from these Power Four non-conference matchups.

Also read: Steve Sarkisian's ongoing argument about missing the CFP can easily be debunked

Despite the fact that he is continuously questioning the worth of facing teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame before kicking off SEC play, Sarkisian is actively using Texas' upcoming game against the Buckeyes to his advantage.

Over the last few weeks, four-star and five-star recruits alike have booked their flights to Austin to visit the Longhorns over the weekend that they are playing OSU.

Sarkisian isn't bringing them along for the Red River Rivalry or hosting them when Texas hosts SEC powerhouses like Ole Miss or Florida. He has invited and is scheduling top recruits to visit when the Horns are playing their big non-conference opponent of the season.

And why shouldn't he?! This game is set to be the No. 1 team versus the No. 4 team in the nation, based on the Preseason Coaches Poll. It is undeniably one of the marquee matchups of the season. Recruits should want to be on the sidelines, wearing burnt orange, for this game.

5-star Brysen Wright latest recruit to schedule visit for Ohio State-Texas weekend

Five-star wide receiver Brysen Wright, the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2028, recently announced he would be in town when the Horns host the Buckeyes, joining a slew of blue-chip recruits in doing so.

From current Texas commits like five-star wideout Easton Royal and five-star interior offensive lineman Ismael Camara to hopeful Longhorns like four-star tight end Ridge Janes and three-star cornerback Jordan Hall, they are flocking to the 40 Acres to see the game in person.

Wright, a native of Florida, is projected to be split between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators. Yet, he's coming to town when Texas and Ohio State throw down.

This is why non-conference games still matter. Beyond the argument of it helping or hurting your CFP chances, these kinds of matchups are exactly what recruits want to see, and without landing top recruits, your chances at making the CFP are pretty much zero to begin with.

Read more: Easton Royal's commitment could hang in the balance of Texas on-field performance

Showing a prospect that you are a big-time program and aren't afraid to take on other big-time programs works on the recruiting trail every single time.

Yes, Sarkisian has an understandable frustration with how last year's final CFP poll unfolded for Texas, but for him to question the value of these highly-ranked non-conference games (while simultaneously benefiting from them) is not the direction that the Longhorns need to head.

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