Imagine the drama unfolding in college football where an underdog flips the script against a powerhouse— that's exactly what happened when Texas shocked the world by defeating Texas A&M. But here's where it gets controversial: Could this victory catapult the Longhorns into the College Football Playoff, or is it just another case of scheduling decisions dictating destiny? Let's dive into the details and unpack why this win has everyone talking, including Texas coach Steve Sarkisian himself.
On Friday night in Austin, the No. 16 Texas Longhorns (for more on Texas, check out Newsweek's coverage at https://www.newsweek.com/topic/texas) pulled off a 27-17 upset over the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies, instantly shaking up the College Football Playoff (CFP) landscape (learn more about the playoff at https://www.newsweek.com/topic/college-football-playoff). Texas racked up 397 total yards compared to A&M's 337, and it was Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning's crucial fourth-quarter touchdown run that turned the tide, giving the home team the edge they needed.
Post-game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian didn't mince words, firing off a pointed message aimed straight at the CFP selection committee. He argued that the team's overall performance and the challenges they've faced deserve recognition, saying, 'If you really examine the full scope of our achievements and consider the tough battles we endure weekly in the Southeastern Conference, plus our challenging non-conference matchups—like starting the season against Ohio State where we fell short by just seven points despite outgaining them by nearly 200 yards—we've built a formidable squad. It would be a real injustice to college football if this team gets overlooked for the playoffs after deliberately choosing that tough opener.'
Sarkisian went on, emphasizing, 'If we end up at 10-2, there's no doubt. But we chose to take on that challenge. So, what's the essence of college football? Is it about avoiding strong opponents to pad your record, or is it about competing against the best to crown the truly top teams? And make no mistake, we're among the elite.'
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For related reading, see how Lane Kiffin’s coaching options are shaping up in this report: https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/lane-kiffins-coaching-decision-narrowed-down-to-2-teams-report-11126250
This triumph bumps Texas to a 9-3 record for the season, transforming their resume overnight. Their highlights include a neutral-site victory over No. 8 Oklahoma, a close 34-31 win against No. 9 Vanderbilt, and now this statement win over the unbeaten Aggies. The Longhorns suffered defeats to elite foes: the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, the Florida Gators on October 4, and Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs on November 15.
Just prior to Friday's game, the CFP committee ranked Texas at No. 16 and A&M at No. 3, but those standings are set to change next week as the committee digests this result. In the 12-team playoff format, rankings through December 2 and the final selections on December 7 will determine the field.
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And this is the part most people miss: The CFP has updated its evaluation criteria this year to better account for the quality of opponents faced and the nature of losses. This means teams get credit for battling top competition, softening the blow of setbacks against powerhouse programs. For beginners in college football, think of it like this—imagine if a student athlete trained hard and lost a close match to an Olympic champion; that loss doesn't erase the value of their preparation or other wins. Sarkisian's plea gains traction here, as the early loss to Ohio State is balanced by stellar victories, and knocking off No. 3 A&M strengthens Texas's case for a playoff berth.
For more on coaching shifts, read about Georgia and Kirby Smart's recruiting challenges here: https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/georgia-kirby-smart-dealt-concerning-recruiting-update-after-major-coaching-move-11125902
But here's the real debate: Is Sarkisian right that scheduling tough games should outweigh a spotless record, or does college football still reward undefeated seasons above all? Some fans argue that playing weaker opponents is just smart strategy, while others say it undermines the sport's spirit of competition. What do you think—should Texas earn a playoff spot despite their losses to giants, or is the committee right to prioritize unbeaten teams? Do rivalries like this between Texas and A&M make the game more exciting, or do they cloud fair evaluations? Share your opinions in the comments below—we'd love to hear your take!
