The Texas Longhorns may not have finished the season undefeated. Still, after a 27-17 win over Texas A&M, Steve Sarkisian’s squad is making the College Football Playoff committee rethink whether a three-loss team can still earn a spot. While no three-loss team has ever made the CFP, Texas’ case isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem.
Knocking Out an Undefeated Team
Texas’ win over the Aggies didn’t just settle a heated rivalry; it ended Texas A&M’s undefeated season and knocked them out of contention for the SEC Championship Game. Currently ranked 16th, the Longhorns are in range to make a leap in the rankings. This victory is one of the best wins any team has had this season, and it gives Texas its third top-10 win of the year, joining victories over ranked Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry and ranked Vanderbilt. Texas is the first FBS team to do so since the 2019 Joe Burrow-led LSU Tiger team.
#Texas becomes the first team since 2019 LSU to defeat three top 10 teams in a single season.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) November 29, 2025
A Grueling Schedule
One key argument in Texas’s favor is the strength of its schedule. The Longhorns faced a tough eight-game SEC slate. They opened the season with a marquee non-conference matchup against Ohio State in Columbus. They lost that game 14-7, arguably giving Ohio State its toughest test of the year. Texas has also faced five ranked teams this season, with a 13.71 strength of schedule (18th hardest nationally) according to PFSN metrics.
Texas has demonstrated a balanced approach throughout the entire season. Their offensive impact grade of 80.6 (37th nationally) and defensive impact grade of 85.7 (18th) illustrate the team’s ability to excel on both sides of the ball. While they suffered a lopsided loss to Georgia, the Longhorns kept it close through three quarters before the Bulldogs pulled away late.
Since midseason, Texas has been one of the hottest teams in the country, winning six of its last seven games with QB Arch Manning playing some of his best football. His performances rival those of some of the top QBs in the nation, especially when it matters most.
Why Texas Longhorns’ Losses Aren’t a Dealbreaker
While PFSN currently gives Texas a very slim chance to make the CFP, the Longhorns’ three losses are arguably less damaging than those of other high-profile three-loss teams in recent history.
For comparison, Alabama was left out of the CFP last year as a three-loss team. Two of Alabama’s losses came against unranked opponents (Vanderbilt and Oklahoma), with the latter effectively ending their playoff hopes. Outside of Florida, Texas’ losses have been to ranked or elite competition, giving them a stronger resume overall.
Sarkisian’s Argument
Steve Sarkisian isn’t shy about making the case for his team. After beating Texas A&M, he stated:
“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.”
Steve Sarkisian is lobbying hard for Texas CFP berth
“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.” pic.twitter.com/m5chIPojhZ
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) November 29, 2025
His point is clear: had Texas scheduled easier opponents, the argument for a CFP berth might be weaker. But by taking on elite competition and coming out with wins against top teams, Texas has earned a legitimate shot at the committee’s consideration.
A Team No One Wants to Face
With rivalry weekend shaking up the landscape, chaos is likely to continue. Texas, a team peaking at the right time, would be a matchup no one would want to see in the bracket, regardless of seeding. Their blend of top-level wins, a tough schedule, and a hot streak entering postseason play makes them a dangerous contender in a CFP scenario.
Whether the committee will break history and allow a three-loss team into the playoff remains to be seen, but Texas has built the strongest case of any team in CFP history to do so.
