The Texas Longhorns rose in the AP Poll this week after a thrilling second-half comeback against then-No. 1 Ohio State, a game that still has Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson smiling from ear to ear. Robinson played for the Longhorns before being selected by the Falcons in the first round of the NFL Draft, and although he was eagerly awaiting his own start in the NFL regular season, he was chosen last Saturday night to see how his alma mater would fare at home in Austin, Texas, against the Buckeyes. It didn’t start out at all the way Robinson and Longhorns fans wanted, but something was realized in former head coach Steve Sarkisian that gave him hope that the second half would be one to remember. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, center, celebrates with his players after their victory over Ohio State in an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) “I knew when Sark ran off because the interview was taking too long or whatever, I knew exactly where his mind went,” Robinson said to OutKick, while highlighting his partnership with Sonic. “I had to go back [to the locker room]. He doesn’t have much time, so he has to get back as quickly as possible, and he’s already game planning in his head for the second half. “So, I knew something was going to change in that second half.” Whatever change Sarkisian made worked, and it was quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns offense that worked as the defense shut down Ohio State’s star receiver Jeremiah Smith and allowed his teammates to get the ball back. SHOW: UNFILTERED, UNAPPOLOGIZED AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD YOUR DAILY PODCAST NOW! In the end, Texas scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, including the decisive touchdown and extra point to win, 24-23, in a game Robinson believes could change the season. “That can change everything,” he said. “That can change the entire trajectory of the season. That half can change everything, and I think just in terms of confidence, it’s a confidence booster to do it against the No. 1 team in the country. Just knowing that we can be in any game, and we can do it against the best team, that’s elite confidence.” But I think now it’s us understanding that each team is trying to come to win, come to beat us and we can’t lose that advantage. If we lose the lead, someone will try to come in and beat us. So, I think it’s a great start, but we have a long season.” Arch Manning, No. 16 of the Texas Longhorns, celebrates after a win against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 12, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images) As Robinson said, with the No. 1 team title now, the target is certainly on the Longhorns’ backs going forward. But as the saying goes, “The pressure It’s a privilege,” and that’s the mentality he believes his former college team will have throughout the season as they hope to return to the College Football Playoffs and reach the national championship. “Everyone was texting me after the game. It’s great to be a part of Texas and the football team,” Robinson added. “People text me like I’m on the team. I’m part of the team, but I give credit to all those guys on the field. They got their asses off, man.” Perfect football pairing. With football season officially back, Robinson highlighted his favorite pairing if he were the one sitting down to watch the Falcons and the rest of the NFL programming on Sundays. Robinson preached how great the Sonic $7 Big Deal Meal was, as it includes a cheeseburger, a medium drink, a choice of medium tots or fries, and a vanilla ice cream sundae. And after receiving the Big Deal Meal, he’ll be sure to add a strawberry lemonade and a chili dog if you’re really hungry. But overall, Robinson loves how great and affordable this special is for everyone, especially for those families looking for something good to go with their football every week. “I feel like it gives everyone a chance to eat together as a family and not have to worry about it costing too much or things like that,” he said, “they know they can go right to Sonic, order the $7 Big Deal Meal and enjoy it. They can have a complete meal and it’s not just a burger or a drink or something like that. You can enjoy something together as a family. Bijan Robinson as part of Sonic’s new “My Greatest 7” campaign, highlighting its limited-time $7 Big Meal Deal as football season begins. (SONIC)OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “It’s been great hearing the feedback, and all my friends literally left the day they saw it.” Robinson and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield were featured in the “My Greatest 7” campaign, which will be seen throughout the football season. SUBSCRIBE TO OUTKICK’S DAILY NEWSLETTER Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
