The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings have sparked excitement among local teams as the regular season draws to a close. With significant matchups ahead, several Texas teams are in contention for a playoff spot. This week, we examine key takeaways from the rankings and how they may influence the final standings.
SMU’s Strong Position in the Rankings
Southern Methodist University (SMU) has made a significant move by entering the CFP rankings for the first time this season at No. 21. The Mustangs are in a position where they control their playoff destiny. If they win against California this week and secure a victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game, they will qualify for the playoffs.
SMU’s presence in the rankings offers a boost to the ACC, which includes teams like Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Georgia Tech. This development indicates that the ACC may avoid the worst-case scenario of missing out on the playoffs entirely, especially if 6-5 Duke does not manage to advance to the title game.
North Texas Still Seeking Recognition
In a challenging week, North Texas (UNT) has faced news that its head coach, Eric Morris, will be departing for Oklahoma State. Despite this, the Mean Green managed to move up to No. 21 in the AP Top 25. However, they were still absent from the CFP rankings, which disappointed fans and the team alike.
Nonetheless, UNT’s path to the playoffs remains viable. If they defeat Temple this week and subsequently conquer the No. 24 Tulane in the conference championship, they could position themselves as the Group of Five representative in the playoffs. The committee’s perception of UNT versus James Madison, who has a 10-1 record, is still unclear. However, a victory over Tulane could strengthen UNT’s standing.
Texas Longhorns: The Challenge Ahead
The Texas Longhorns find themselves in a precarious position at No. 16. An upset victory against No. 3 Texas A&M on Friday might still keep their playoff hopes alive. However, with set criteria for playoff qualification, Texas needs significant help beyond winning their game.
The Longhorns must hope that the Big 12 remains a one-bid league, requiring Texas Tech, currently ranked No. 5, to win the conference. Additionally, the Longhorns need several other two-loss teams to falter in the final week of play.
- LSU to upset No. 8 Oklahoma
- Stanford to defeat No. 9 Notre Dame
- No. 10 Alabama to lose to Auburn
- No. 12 Miami to fall to Pittsburgh
- No. 14 Vanderbilt to lose to No. 19 Tennessee
- No. 15 Michigan to lose to No. 1 Ohio State
The Longhorns are indeed reliant on other teams’ performances, making their playoff journey complex but not impossible.
Current CFP Rankings Overview
| Rank | Team | Record | Previous Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 11-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Indiana | 11-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Texas A&M | 11-0 | 3 |
| 4 | Georgia | 10-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Texas Tech | 10-1 | 5 |
| 21 | SMU | 8-3 | NR |
| 22 | Pittsburgh | 8-3 | NR |
| 24 | Tulane | 9-2 | NR |
As the regular season concludes, the race for the playoffs intensifies. With several Texas teams in contention, fans can expect an exciting finish. Check El-Balad for ongoing updates and analysis on the College Football Playoff landscape.
