Texas A&M Faces CFP Slide After Rivalry Loss to Texas

Texas A&M’s dreams of competing in the SEC Championship Game were dashed following a 27-17 defeat to rival Texas on November 24, 2023. This loss marked the second consecutive year the Aggies failed to secure a spot in the conference title match, having lost to the Longhorns last season as well. The Aggies have not triumphed over Texas since 2010, despite finishing the regular season with an impressive record of 11 wins, their best since 1992.

The Aggies’ season featured notable achievements, including an early-season road victory against Notre Dame and consecutive wins over Arkansas, LSU, and Missouri. As the College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee prepares to announce rankings, Texas A&M’s position is under scrutiny. Currently, the Aggies hold a 3rd ranked strength of record and a 15th ranked strength of schedule, both of which will influence their ranking following the loss to Texas.

According to ESPN college football insider Heather Dinnich, the Aggies may drop to as low as the No. 6 seed. She noted that Texas A&M’s only victory against a team currently in the CFP top 25 was the thrilling 41-40 win over Notre Dame on September 13. This singular achievement may no longer suffice to secure a first-round bye among the top four teams in the playoff bracket.

While the Aggies are likely to fall behind teams like Georgia, which has recorded stronger wins—including a resounding 35-10 victory over Texas—there is ongoing debate about whether Texas A&M should be ranked below Texas Tech and Oregon. The Ducks have recently demonstrated strong performance metrics, ranking among the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

Dinnich also highlighted the Selection Committee’s respect for Texas A&M’s four road wins, which bolsters their overall strength of schedule. The Aggies’ schedule is currently rated higher than that of Texas Tech, projected as the 4-seed in the latest projections.

As championship weekend approaches, there remains a possibility, albeit slim, that Texas A&M could reclaim a top-four spot if teams like Texas Tech, Indiana, and Georgia experience losses. Should the Aggies end up as the No. 6 seed, they would face the ACC Champion Virginia. Conversely, if Duke secures a victory on Saturday, potential matchups could include Tulane or North Texas.

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