The first College Football Playoff rankings just dropped, and get this: the Texas Longhorns, sitting at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, are somehow ranked No. 7. That’s a full three spots higher than their No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press Poll. This No. 7 spot means they’d be the third at-large team in this year’s expanded Playoff, lining them up to host No. 10 Ole Miss in Austin on either December 18 or 19. Remember, Texas already beat Ole Miss 34-27 last month at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Wild, right?
Sarkisian’s Playoff Rollercoaster Hits a New High (For Now)
This isn’t head coach Steve Sarkisian’s first dance with the CFP. Texas made its first appearance in 2023, back when it was a four-team tournament. They then hit the semifinals in 2024, only to lose to Ohio State at AT&T Stadium. Last year, they missed the CFP entirely but ended up beating Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Now, with a No. 7 ranking, the Longhorns are back in the conversation, thanks to the committee valuing their résumé despite a couple of blemishes. Linebacker Justin Cryer, edge Zina Umeozulu, and linebacker Rasheem Biles were celebrating a sack against Mississippi State on October 31, and fans are hoping for more reasons to cheer.
The Road Ahead: Two Brutal SEC Tests That Could Make Or Break Everything
Here’s the kicker, though: Texas is no lock for the Playoff with two losses already on the books. And honestly, the schedule ahead is just nasty. Their next two games? Both on the road against ranked SEC opponents. This Saturday, they’re at No. 18 Missouri, and then on November 14, they head to No. 14 LSU. If they win both of those, then handle expected wins against Arkansas and Texas A&M, their CFP path is clear, potentially locking in that first-round home game at DKR. But lose to Missouri or LSU, and suddenly, that Playoff argument gets murky, fast. Nobody’s ever made the Playoff with three losses without winning their conference championship game. Sarkisian, though, is still bullish, arguing their strength of schedule, especially a nine-game SEC slate and that September win over then-No. 1 Ohio State, makes them different. He was talking about the insane parity recently, saying, “what is it really going to look like when there’s 9-3 SEC teams compared to 10-2 or even 11-1 teams from other conferences? How much value is going to be placed in that?”
This is it. The Longhorns face No. 18 Missouri on the road this Saturday. Win out, and they’re in a prime spot for a home Playoff game. Drop one of these next two road tests, and Sarkisian might be spending December lobbying for a spot, hoping the committee agrees with his strength-of-schedule argument. Talk about high stakes!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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