Texas Coach Sarkisian Advocates for Three-Loss SEC Team in CFP

The expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) has shaken up the selection process. Now, strength of schedule and quality wins matter more than ever.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian thinks these factors will seriously shape which SEC teams get picked in the coming weeks. As the Longhorns grind through a tough schedule, they might end up as a three-loss team with a real shot at the CFP.

This blog takes a look at Sarkisian’s viewpoint, the wild competitiveness of the SEC, and what it could mean for the playoff picks.

The Importance of Strength of Schedule

The expanded CFP, now in its second year, really puts the spotlight on strength of schedule and quality wins. Sarkisian says these details are going to be huge for SEC hopefuls.

Last year, no three-loss, nonconference champ made the playoff. But Texas? They’re one of the teams that might just break that pattern. Their non-conference lineup was no joke, and that early win over Alabama definitely caught the committee’s attention.

Texas’ Competitive Edge

Sarkisian stands out as the only coach with back-to-back playoff semifinal appearances. Texas got there through smart scheduling and some gutsy wins.

The Longhorns (7-2) opened the season with a loss at Ohio State, one of the last unbeaten squads. But they’ve bounced back, picking up ranked wins over Oklahoma and Vanderbilt to boost their playoff resume.

SEC’s Depth and Quality

Sarkisian keeps highlighting just how deep and tough the SEC is. He says every game feels like a playoff—no easy weeks.

Even teams with less-than-stellar records are still tough outs. Texas, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt are all sitting at 7-2 and could end up with double-digit wins.

The Role of Head-to-Head Wins

Head-to-head victories are going to matter a lot. That win over Oklahoma? It might be the tiebreaker if both teams finish with three losses.

The Sooners still have to play Missouri, Alabama, and LSU—no cakewalks. If both teams end up with similar records, Texas’ win could tip the scales.

Impact of the New “Record Strength” Metric

The CFP is rolling out a new “record strength” metric this year. It’s basically a beefed-up version of the old strength of schedule idea.

It rewards teams for beating strong opponents, but doesn’t ding them as hard for losing to tough teams. Wins over weaker teams don’t move the needle as much.

Texas’ Path Forward

Looking ahead, Texas still has to face top-5 teams Georgia and Texas A&M, plus Arkansas. If they manage to split those big games and take care of Arkansas, their playoff argument gets even stronger.

The first top-25 rankings from the committee should give us a clue about what Texas needs to do next.

SEC’s Potential Chaos Scenario

If Texas, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt all win out, the SEC could end up with seven teams hitting double-digit wins. That would include Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Ole Miss.

With only seven at-large spots, things could get messy. Sarkisian makes the case that if strength of schedule really matters, SEC teams should get the nod over other power conferences. Fair point, right?

The expanded College Football Playoff has added some real twists to the selection process. Suddenly, strength of schedule and quality wins are front and center.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian seems convinced these factors will be huge in deciding which SEC teams get in. The Longhorns have a tough slate ahead, and honestly, every game feels like it matters more than ever.

The first top-25 rankings from the selection committee are coming up soon. That should offer a bit of a clue about where Texas stands in the playoff race.

For more information on this topic, visit the original article on CBS Sports.