Critics believed that if Texas finished with three losses, it would jeopardize head coach Steve Sarkisian’s playoff hopes.
While the College Football Playoff selections are still weeks away, many assume a three-loss program, especially one that might not win its conference, would struggle to enter the playoff.
However, determining Texas’s playoff prospects is challenging due to the large number of games remaining.
Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Earns Endorsement from Paul Finebaum
The Longhorns began their season with a narrow loss to Ohio State, which did not significantly impact their playoff hopes.
Later, an upset loss to unranked Florida drew scrutiny, as losing to an unranked team typically hurts playoff chances. Since then, Texas has won four straight, three by a single-possession margin.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum explained why he still thinks Sarkisian’s program could make the playoff with three losses. The likely third loss, he noted, could come against Georgia this Saturday.
Finebaum made his case as a guest on “The Matt Barrie Show.”
“Let’s say, Texas loses at Georgia. Then they find the final game of the season is at home against a what will likely be an undefeated Texas A&M team. So, should they get that win and finish 9-3, I think you’re going to have to have a serious argument that they have a spot in there and you know this committee.
“I’ll save all the aggravation for later, who knows what they’ll be interested in the final weekend, but you’ll have to factor in that Ohio State game, and that could give them a kick.”
Finebaum’s argument relies on Texas splitting its upcoming marquee games against Georgia and Texas A&M, and that winning or losing either could shape its playoff prospects. Both A&M and Georgia have strong records, so wins against them would definitely stand out.
For example, Georgia’s only loss was by three points to Alabama. However, four losses would end the Longhorns’ playoff chances.
UGA’s offense poses a challenge, while A&M’s quarterback Marcel Reed presents a dual threat, similar to Florida’s DJ Lagway, who exploited Sarkisian’s shaky defense and caused the earlier upset. He threw for 298 yards, completing 75% of his passes in the process.
Additionally, Ohio State’s defense previously limited Texas’s offense, which impacts playoff perception.
The Longhorns still have the potential to secure a College Football Playoff spot, but their margin for error is limited following their loss to Florida. Their playoff hopes also hinge on Florida’s performance, since a bowl-eligible UF would make the loss less damaging.
Ultimately, Texas must beat both Georgia and Texas A&M and get some help to remain in playoff contention.
