Texas Longhorns’ Slim College Football Playoff Hopes After Texas A&M Win
As the college football season winds down, the Texas Longhorns are in a tricky spot. Their year hasn’t quite matched what fans dreamed up back in August.
Even so, Texas is still barely hanging on in the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation. After beating Texas A&M, the Longhorns are scrambling for a shot at an at-large postseason spot.
But let’s be real—three losses to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia have made things tough. The odds aren’t in their favor, and most folks know it.
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The Road to the College Football Playoff
Texas kicked off the season with plenty of optimism. Star quarterback Arch Manning and a stacked roster had everyone talking.
But losses to heavyweights like Ohio State and Georgia, plus a pretty rough defeat to Florida, have really hurt their playoff hopes. Sitting at No. 16 in the CFP rankings, Texas has a steep climb if they want to break into the top 10.
Key Losses and Their Impact
Three losses have left a mark on Texas’ playoff resume. Sure, losing to Ohio State and Georgia is tough but understandable, since they’re playoff contenders too.
Still, the 35-10 blowout by Georgia and the Florida loss sting. Now, Texas has to win out and hope the teams above them stumble.
Steve Sarkisian’s Plea for a CFP Berth
Coach Steve Sarkisian hasn’t been shy about making his case. He points out that scheduling Ohio State in nonconference play should count for something.
*We got a really good football team. It would be a disservice to our sport if this team’s not a playoff team when we went and scheduled that nonconference game (Ohio State). Because if we’re a 10-2 team that’s not a question,* Sarkisian said. Still, it’s clear Texas needs a little luck to sneak into the CFP.
ESPN’s Playoff Predictor
ESPN’s playoff predictor gives Texas just an 11% shot at the College Football Playoff, even after beating Texas A&M. That’s not exactly encouraging.
Basically, there’s an 89% chance the Longhorns miss out, despite their recent win. To have a real chance, Texas needs to leap to No. 10 in the rankings, which looks like a tall order right now.
What Needs to Happen for Texas to Make the Playoff
For Texas to have any hope, a lot needs to go right. Here are a few things they’ll be watching closely:
- Rivalry Week Chaos: Texas fans will be cheering for upsets—Alabama, Michigan, Vanderbilt, whoever. The more chaos among the teams above, the better their shot.
- Conference Championship Outcomes: How those games shake out will matter a ton. Especially in the ACC, where the champ could snag a playoff spot as one of the top four conference winners.
- Impressive Wins: Texas can’t just win—they need to look good doing it. Any slip now would end whatever slim playoff hopes remain.
The Importance of the Next CFP Rankings
The next CFP rankings drop Tuesday, and they’re a big deal for Texas. Fans are anxious to see if the win over Texas A&M gives them any boost.
It’s still a long shot, but even a small jump could keep hope alive for those dreaming of a miracle.
Expert Opinions on Texas’ Playoff Chances
ESPN’s Heather Dinich hasn’t sugarcoated it: Texas making the playoff is *unlikely,* even with that big win over Texas A&M.
*While Texas now has arguably the best win in the country, it probably won’t be enough to catapult it into the top-10 as a three-loss team,* Dinich wrote. *Even with some upsets above them, it’s unlikely Texas would get higher than No. 12.*
Conclusion: A Long Shot, But Not Impossible
Texas is in a tough spot as the college football season wraps up. The Longhorns have shown flashes of brilliance, but those three losses really sting.
Honestly, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Still, with a little chaos and a couple of big wins, maybe they can make some noise for the College Football Playoff.
Guess we’ll all be watching the next rankings and those crucial rivalry and championship games. Anything can happen, right?
For more details on Texas’ playoff odds, check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
