Texas A&M is riding high after a landmark season that saw the Aggies break through to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. It was a long time coming-especially after the near-miss in 2020-but their reward wasn’t exactly a soft landing.
The committee matched them up with a Miami squad that, by several advanced metrics, looked every bit like a national title favorite. It was a tough draw, and the Aggies felt it.
Now, with the offseason in full swing and momentum building in College Station, the focus shifts to what’s next. The goal is simple: get back to the playoff. But with the postseason landscape evolving once again, the path could look a little different in 2026.
Playoff Format Holds at 12, But the Rules Are Changing
The College Football Playoff is sticking with a 12-team format-for now. But don’t let the familiar number fool you. The structure within that dozen is shifting, and it could have real implications for teams like Texas A&M.
The biggest change? Automatic bids will now go to each champion of the Power Four conferences: the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12.
That’s a pivot from the previous model, which awarded auto-bids to the top five ranked conference champions, regardless of league affiliation. The new format tightens the circle, and it’s a direct response to how things played out this past season.
Duke, despite winning the ACC, was left out. Meanwhile, James Madison and Tulane got in as conference champs-only to get run off the field in the opening round. That didn’t sit well with many around the sport, especially when a team like Notre Dame, ranked No. 11, was watching from home.
Under the new rules, that scenario doesn’t happen again. Notre Dame, as long as it finishes in the top 12 of the final rankings, will now be guaranteed an at-large spot. It’s a concession to the program’s unique status as an independent-and a reminder that while they still operate outside the conference system, they’re not being left out in the cold.
What Would This Have Looked Like Last Year?
If this format had been in place for the 2025 season, the playoff field would’ve looked noticeably different. Duke would have been in as the ACC champ.
Tulane and Notre Dame would’ve claimed spots as well. Meanwhile, Miami-yes, the same Miami team that nearly won it all-would’ve been out.
So would BYU and James Madison.
That’s where things get tricky. Miami’s near-title run is a glaring counterpoint to the new system.
It raises a fair question: are we prioritizing the right things? But then again, this past season was chaotic from top to bottom.
In many ways, it forced the hand of the decision-makers.
What It Means for Texas A&M
For the Aggies, the changes are a mixed bag. On one hand, the SEC’s reputation and depth mean that even if teams cannibalize each other during the regular season, the conference champ is locked in.
That’s a huge safety net. And for a team like A&M, which plays in arguably the toughest league in the country, that’s one less thing to worry about.
On the other hand, the days of drawing a Group of Five team in the first round may be over. Programs like JMU and Tulane, while deserving in their own right, were often seen as more favorable matchups.
With the new format, the first-round opponent is more likely to be a battle-tested Power Four runner-up or a top-tier independent like Notre Dame. In short: no more easy outs.
So if the Aggies make it back to the playoff-and that’s certainly within reach-they’re going to have to earn every inch. There won’t be any shortcuts, no soft openers.
But that might be exactly what this team needs. After all, if you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.
And Texas A&M looks ready to take that next step.