Mandy
After delivering a high-stakes 27-17 victory over No. 3 Texas A&M, head coach Steve Sarkisian firmly argued that No. 16 Texas deserves serious consideration for a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.
Sarkisian emphasized that this win marked his third triumph over a top-10 opponent this season — joining earlier victories against No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 9 Vanderbilt — a rare feat last achieved by LSU in 2019.
He stressed that defeating a team widely viewed as one of the best based on strength-of-schedule metrics should validate Texas’ playoff credentials.
Sarkisian Defends Texas’ Tough Schedule
Texas ended the regular season at 9-3, with all three losses coming against elite opponents: No. 3 Ohio State to open the season and No. 5 Georgia two weeks ago.
Their record includes an impressive 3-2 performance against top-10 teams.
Sarkisian argued that if Texas had chosen an easier Week 1 matchup instead of facing Ohio State on the road — a 14-7 one-score loss — the Longhorns would likely be in the playoff discussion without controversy.
He even questioned what message the committee sends to programs willing to schedule marquee nonconference games:
“If we were 10-2, this wouldn’t be a debate. We took the challenge to play Ohio State, and we shouldn’t be punished for it.”
Players Echo Their Coach’s Message
Senior safety Michael Taaffe, who made a crucial late-game interception at the 3-yard line, supported his coach’s stance.
He called the Ohio State matchup one of the most-watched and anticipated games in college football and argued that the committee should reward such high-profile scheduling.
According to ESPN Research, teams ranked 11 through 15 are a combined 4-8 against ranked opponents, a metric that favors Texas’ playoff résumé.
Addressing The Florida Loss And Notre Dame Precedent
Sarkisian admitted that the October 4 loss at Florida complicated their playoff push, but cited Notre Dame’s 2023 season, when the Irish reached the CFP national championship despite an early loss to Northern Illinois.
He drew a clear parallel:
“If Notre Dame could lose at home and still compete for a title, our team deserves the same consideration.”
How Texas A&M Lost Its Halftime Lead
At halftime, Texas A&M led 10-3, with Arch Manning struggling at 7-for-22 for 51 yards. The Longhorns had only 112 total yards, but the game flipped once the run game gained momentum.
Quintrevion Wisner rushed for 155 yards, while Manning surged in the second half, finishing with 179 passing yards and 53 rushing yards, including a 35-yard touchdown run on third-and-3 that electrified the home crowd.
Sarkisian praised Manning’s poise under pressure, highlighting his ability to diagnose and manage NFL-level blitz schemes.
Manning’s Message to the CFP Committee
Manning said the Longhorns have shown significant improvement and are peaking at the right time. When asked to state his playoff case, he answered simply:
“We’re a good team, bro. We’ve played great teams and we’re only getting better. If we’re in, we can beat anyone.”
He added confidently:
“I think we’re going to make the playoffs. I don’t see a reason we shouldn’t.”
Texas’ victory over No. 3 Texas A&M not only secured a major rivalry win but also strengthened their argument for a College Football Playoff spot.
With multiple top-10 victories, a challenging schedule, and a rising young quarterback in Arch Manning, the Longhorns believe they’ve earned a place among college football’s elite.
Whether the CFP committee agrees could influence future scheduling strategies across the country — a point Sarkisian and his players made loud and clear.
FAQs
Why does Texas believe it deserves a CFP spot?
Texas argues that multiple wins over top-10 teams and a difficult nonconference schedule give them a stronger résumé than similarly ranked programs.
How did Arch Manning perform in the Texas A&M game?
After a slow first half, Manning delivered an impressive second-half performance, finishing with 232 total yards and a game-sealing touchdown run.
What concerns did Sarkisian raise about CFP scheduling incentives?
He worries that punishing teams for scheduling tough matchups will encourage programs to avoid challenging opponents, harming college football’s competitive quality.