Texas A&M Slides in CFP Rankings After Rivalry Loss, But Playoff Hopes Still Alive
The Lone Star Showdown didn’t go Texas A&M’s way - again. For the second straight year, the Aggies came up short against the Texas Longhorns during rivalry week, and the fallout was immediate. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee dropped A&M four spots in this week’s rankings, a clear sign that the loss stung more than just in-state pride.
But even with the setback, the Aggies aren't out of the playoff picture. In fact, depending on how things shake out this weekend, they could still be looking at a home playoff game in the first round - a huge opportunity for Mike Elko’s squad to reset and reassert themselves on the national stage.
Where Things Stand Now
As of the latest CFP rankings, Texas A&M sits at No. 7 with an 11-1 record. That would line them up for a first-round showdown at Kyle Field against No.
10 Notre Dame - a rematch that would carry plenty of intrigue. If the Aggies handle business there, a potential second-round clash with undefeated Indiana looms.
Here’s how the full CFP Top 25 looks heading into the final weekend before Selection Sunday:
- Ohio State (12-0)
- Indiana (12-0)
- Georgia (11-1)
- Texas Tech (11-1)
- Oregon (11-1)
- Ole Miss (11-1)
- Texas A&M (11-1)
- Oklahoma (10-2)
- Alabama (10-2)
- Notre Dame (10-2)
- BYU (11-1)
- Miami (10-2)
- Texas (9-3)
- Vanderbilt (10-2)
- Utah (10-2)
- USC (9-3)
- Virginia (10-2)
- Arizona (9-3)
- Michigan (9-3)
- Tulane (10-2)
- Houston (9-3)
- Georgia Tech (9-3)
- Iowa (8-4)
- North Texas (11-1)
- James Madison (11-1)
What’s Next for the Aggies?
All eyes now turn to the conference championship games this weekend - especially the SEC title bout between No. 3 Georgia and No.
9 Alabama in Atlanta. That result could have major ripple effects for Texas A&M’s final playoff seeding.
A Georgia win could help solidify the Aggies' current position or even push them up a spot, while an Alabama upset might throw the entire top 10 into chaos.
For Elko and company, the immediate focus is internal. The loss to Texas was a gut punch, no doubt - not just because it came against their biggest rival, but because it denied them a shot at the SEC Championship for the first time in program history. That kind of missed opportunity lingers.
But here’s the flip side: the Aggies still have everything to play for. They’ve got time to regroup, refocus, and get healthy before the CFP kicks off. And if they can clean up the issues that cost them against the Longhorns - particularly on the offensive side of the ball - they’re still a dangerous team with the talent to make a deep playoff run.
The Bottom Line
It wasn’t the ending Texas A&M wanted to rivalry week, but the season is far from over. A potential home playoff game, a shot at redemption against Notre Dame, and a path - however narrow - to the national championship are still very much in play.
The Aggies will find out their official fate on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT during the CFP Selection Show. Until then, it’s all about watching the scoreboard and preparing for what could be one of the most pivotal stretches in recent program history.