Texas's victory over Texas A&M has ignited a firestorm of discussion around the College Football Playoff (CFP), and Coach Steve Sarkisian is making sure the committee hears his voice!
In a stunning Friday night showdown, the No. 16 Texas Longhorns toppled the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies with a decisive 27-17 victory. This win wasn't just a game; it was a statement. The Longhorns dominated, racking up 397 total yards compared to A&M's 337. Quarterback Arch Manning sealed the deal with a crucial late touchdown run, shifting the momentum firmly in Texas's favor.
Following the game, Coach Sarkisian didn't mince words, sending a clear message to the CFP committee. He highlighted the rigorous schedule Texas faces, including a Week 1 matchup against Ohio State, where they lost by a mere 7 points despite outgaining them by nearly 200 yards.
"If you really look at the body of work and you look at the Southeastern Conference and what we have to go through every week, you look at the non-conference schedule we play to go to Ohio State in week one and lose by seven when we outgained them by nearly 200 yards, we got a really good football team and it'll be a disservice to our sport if this team's not a playoff team when we went and scheduled that non-conference game."
"If we're a 10-2 team, it's not a question. But we were willing to go play that game. So, is that what college football is about? Don't play anybody and just have a good record? Or play the best and put the best teams in the playoff? And we're one of the best teams," Sarkisian said.
But here's where it gets controversial... Sarkisian argues that Texas's willingness to schedule tough opponents, like Ohio State, should be a key factor in their playoff consideration.
This victory boosts Texas to a 9-3 season, significantly altering their playoff resume. Their wins include a neutral-site triumph over No. 8 Oklahoma and a close 34-31 victory against No. 9 Vanderbilt. Their losses? They've faced the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, the Florida Gators, and Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs.
Before this game, the CFP committee had Texas at No. 16 and Texas A&M at No. 3. The rankings will undoubtedly shift, and the committee will have to consider this result when they meet again. Under the new 12-team format, the committee's weekly rankings through December 2 and the final bracket on December 7 will determine the playoff field.
And this is the part most people miss... The CFP has revised its approach to evaluating the strength of schedule and record quality. Now, teams are rewarded for facing tougher opponents, and losses to elite programs are viewed less harshly. This adjustment supports Sarkisian's argument, as the early loss to Ohio State is softened by quality wins, giving Texas a real shot at the CFP.
Do you agree with Coach Sarkisian's stance? Should a team's willingness to play a challenging schedule be a more significant factor in playoff selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
