Indiana vs Texas A&M: CFP Rankings Debate and Future Playoff Scenarios
The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings have sparked debates among fans and analysts. In the latest rankings, Indiana sits above Texas A&M, and people can’t stop arguing about whether that’s fair.
So, why is Indiana ranked higher? Let’s look at their performances, schedules, and stats. Maybe we’ll make sense of it—or maybe not. College football rarely makes it easy.
Contents
Indiana vs. Texas A&M: A Statistical Comparison
Indiana’s stats this season are tough to ignore. The Hoosiers have the No. 10 offense and No. 13 defense in yards per play.
Texas A&M lags a bit, ranking No. 19 on offense and No. 39 on defense. Those numbers tell a story about balance and consistency.
Offensive and Defensive Rankings
Indiana’s offense is sitting in the top ten nationwide. That’s not something you see every year from them.
Their defense is also top-15, which means they’re not just relying on one side of the ball. They’re limiting opponents’ yardage and scoring chances, plain and simple.
Texas A&M’s offense is solid, but just not quite at Indiana’s level. Their defense at 39th? It’s serviceable, but it leaves some questions against stronger teams.
Comparing Resumes: Key Wins and Strength of Schedule
Resumes matter, and both teams have some big wins. Indiana’s highlights include a 30-20 victory at No. 8 Oregon, a 20-15 win at No. 21 Iowa, and a blowout 63-10 home win over Illinois.
Beating ranked teams on the road isn’t easy, and Indiana’s done it more than once. That has to count for something, right?
Texas A&M’s Key Wins
Texas A&M’s got a few notches on their belt, too. They edged out No. 9 Notre Dame 41-40, beat Missouri 38-17 (though Missouri was down to their third-string QB), and took down LSU 49-25.
Those are good wins, but context matters. Missouri’s quarterback situation, for example, takes a bit of shine off that result.
Strength of Schedule and Conference Opponents
Strength of schedule is always in the mix for the CFP. Texas A&M’s conference slate? Not exactly a murderer’s row. Their eight league opponents have a combined conference record of 13-34, and that includes Texas, who they haven’t played yet.
So far, their six foes are just 8-27 combined. That’s not going to impress many voters.
Indiana’s Schedule
Indiana’s schedule has its soft spots, too. Their conference opponents so far are 16-26 combined.
And with games left against 1-5 Wisconsin and 0-7 Purdue, the difficulty level isn’t exactly climbing. In the end, both teams might have resumes that look pretty similar strength-wise.
The Impact of the 12-Team Playoff Format
The new 12-team playoff format has changed the game. More teams have a shot at the postseason late into November, and that just makes things more chaotic (and honestly, more fun).
Potential Four-Team Debates
If we were still stuck with just four playoff spots, the debates would be wild. Right now, you could see nine teams heading into conference title week at 11-1 or better.
The top two seeds would probably be the Ohio State-Indiana winner and the SEC champion, each likely at 13-0 or 12-1. The loser of that Big Ten matchup, if they’re 12-1, would likely grab the No. 3 spot.
The fight for the last spot? It’s crowded:
- A 12-1 Texas A&M team that drops the SEC title game
- Alabama, Georgia, or Texas A&M if any finish 11-1 but miss the championship
- A 12-1 Big 12 champ Texas Tech
- An 11-1 Oregon
- An 11-1 Ole Miss, unless Georgia (who beat them) is 11-2
Challenges for the ACC and Group of Five Teams
The ACC’s path to the playoff is, well, rocky. No ACC or Group of Five (G5) team seems to have a clear route right now.
The highest-ranked G5 team is No. 24 USF. For the ACC, the top teams are No. 15 Miami, No. 16 Georgia Tech, No. 19 Virginia, No. 20 Louisville, and No. 22 Pitt.
Potential Scenarios
For a G5 team to jump an ACC champion, a lot of dominoes have to fall. Say Duke, sitting at 5-4, wins out and takes the ACC title—it’s hard to see a G5 team leapfrogging them.
If Duke stumbles, though, teams like USF, North Texas, Tulane, or Navy might get their shot. Stranger things have happened in college football.
Conclusion
The CFP rankings and the new 12-team playoff format have really shaken things up in college football. There’s a lot more to think about now, and honestly, it’s made things a lot more unpredictable.
Indiana’s higher ranking over Texas A&M? It’s not just luck. Their stats look better, and they’ve pulled off some pretty big wins this season.
If you’re someone who loves the back-and-forth and heated debates, this year’s playoff talk isn’t going to disappoint. The passion from fans is almost a sport on its own.
Want to dive deeper or just keep up with the latest? There’s a full article over at the New York Times if you’re curious.
