Steve Sarkisian Makes His Case, But Can Texas Crash the CFP Party?
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t done fighting for his team’s postseason hopes. After the Longhorns took down previously undefeated Texas A&M on Friday, Sarkisian made a passionate case for why his 9-3 squad deserves a spot in the College Football Playoff. And he didn’t mince words - calling it a “disservice” to the sport if Texas doesn’t make the cut.
The Longhorns currently sit at No. 14 in the AP Top 25, just outside the top 12 that would qualify for the CFP under the expanded format. But Sarkisian believes his team’s résumé tells a stronger story than the rankings suggest.
Quality Wins, Questionable Losses
One of Sarkisian’s central arguments? Texas has done the hard part - they’ve beaten ranked teams.
Three of them, in fact: No. 13 Vanderbilt, No.
8 Oklahoma, and No. 7 Texas A&M.
That’s a trio of wins few teams in the country can match, and Sarkisian is making sure the committee hears about it.
“There’s teams that are ranked in front of us that haven’t played any top-10 ranked teams,” Sarkisian pointed out. “Is this about what your record is at the end? Or is this about beating quality teams and showing how good of a team you really are?”
He didn’t stop there. Sarkisian also took aim at teams that rack up eye-popping stats against weaker opponents, suggesting that some programs are more interested in style points than substance.
“Don’t play good teams, put up a bunch of yards, put up a bunch of points and make it look good,” he said. “Throw fade route touchdowns with 38 seconds to go when you're ahead 31-7 so that the score looks better. Is the committee watching the games or are they looking at a stat sheet at the end of the game?”
That last line was a clear shot at Miami, who scored a late touchdown in a 38-7 win over Pitt - a game that had long been decided. The Hurricanes currently sit at No. 12, right on the CFP bubble.
Cristobal Fires Back
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal didn’t let Sarkisian’s comments go unanswered. He pointed to a shared opponent - Florida - as a key data point.
Miami handled the Gators 26-7. Texas?
They lost to Florida in a game that raised real questions about their consistency.
“They also gotta take a look at the fact of a common opponent between us and that particular coach,” Cristobal said. “Seeing that we had the opportunity to really dominate that opponent while that opponent dominated them.”
Cristobal also has a top-10 win in his back pocket - Miami took down No. 9 Notre Dame earlier this season.
Mario Cristobal responds on @CanesInSight …
— Greg (@G_Reg3rdLeg) December 2, 2025
“They also gotta take a look at the common opponent between us and that particular coach. To really dominate that opponent while that opponent dominated them.” https://t.co/DfrIfNWXT3 pic.twitter.com/FectNwZxsz
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the reality: with the CFP drawing teams from at least five different conferences, the margin for error is razor thin. Texas has some marquee wins, no doubt.
Taking down Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M is a strong statement. But the Longhorns also have three losses - to Florida, Georgia, and Ohio State - that can’t be ignored.
And while losing to top-tier teams isn’t a crime, it’s the way those games played out that matters.
Add in narrow overtime escapes against Kentucky and Mississippi State - two teams that spent most of the season in the SEC basement - and it’s clear that Texas has had its share of shaky moments.
Miami, meanwhile, has its own blemishes, but the Hurricanes have done enough to stay ahead in the rankings for now. With a stronger finish and a better head-to-head comparison in that common opponent with Florida, they’ve built a more consistent case.
Final Word
Sarkisian’s passion is understandable. He’s standing up for a team that’s shown flashes of greatness - and in some weeks, looked like it could beat anyone in the country. But in a season where consistency is king and every game matters, the Longhorns may have left themselves just a little too much ground to cover.
The playoff committee has a tough job ahead. And while Sarkisian’s argument isn’t without merit, Texas might need more than a strong finish - they might need a little chaos - to sneak into the final 12.