Texas A&M may not have gotten the result it wanted against Texas, but the Aggies still find themselves in a position that’s far from disastrous. Yes, the late-season loss to their longtime rival stings - those always do - and yes, it likely cost them a shot at a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. But with the latest rankings placing A&M at No. 7, there’s still plenty for Aggie fans to feel good about heading into December.
Let’s break down why Texas A&M’s current situation isn’t just salvageable - it might actually set the stage for something special.
1. Kyle Field in December? That’s a win in itself.
If the rankings hold, the Aggies are looking at a home playoff game in the opening round. That’s not something you see every year - in fact, it’s never happened before in the new expanded playoff format. And if you’ve ever experienced a game at Kyle Field, you know what kind of environment the 12th Man can create.
Now imagine that in a high-stakes playoff setting. Cold weather, packed stands, and a fanbase that’s been waiting for this kind of moment.
Sure, a first-round bye would’ve been ideal, but a home playoff game under the lights in College Station? That’s a pretty great consolation prize.
2. Texas A&M already has Notre Dame’s number
As things stand, the Aggies would face Notre Dame in the first round - a team they’ve already beaten this season. That kind of recent head-to-head win matters, especially when you’re talking about two programs that could easily be considered evenly matched on paper.
The first meeting was a nail-biter. A&M needed a missed extra point and a clutch fourth-down conversion - a play that ended with Nate Boerkircher hauling in a pass that wasn’t even supposed to come his way.
But that’s playoff football. It’s about finding a way, and the Aggies did just that.
That win gives A&M more than just a mental edge. It gives them proof they can handle the moment. And when the lights get brighter, that kind of confidence can go a long way.
3. The CFP committee isn’t done reshuffling
One of the quirks of the College Football Playoff system is that even teams who aren’t playing can still move in the rankings. That’s not speculation - it comes straight from CFP selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek, who made it clear that idle teams aren’t locked in place.
“Teams that are idle can move up or down,” Yurachek said this week, leaving the door open for some final-weekend movement.
That matters for Texas A&M, especially with Ole Miss currently ranked ahead of them despite the Aggies holding an edge in advanced metrics. It also matters in the Notre Dame-Miami discussion. The Irish are currently slotted to face A&M, but both they and Miami have taken losses to the Aggies - and the committee could still decide to reshuffle that order before Sunday’s final reveal.
Bottom line: The road’s still wide open
No, Texas A&M isn’t in the top four. And no, they won’t get to sit out the first round. But this is still a team with a legitimate shot to make noise in the postseason - and maybe even make a run.
A home playoff game, a favorable first-round matchup, and the possibility of some last-minute movement from the committee? That’s not a bad place to be heading into the final stretch. The Aggies may have taken a hit against Texas, but they’re still standing - and they’ve got everything to play for.