Crystal Pouncey
Dec 03, 2023 - 07:10

College Football Playoff: Texas Deserves Final Four-Team Field in CFP Rankings

The College Football Playoff Committee has a tough choice to make, but Texas should be in and Alabama and Georgia out.

The College Football Playoff Committee is facing a major decision after some shocking results in the SEC Championship Game. The Texas Longhorns, Alabama, and Georgia are all tied at 12-1, and the committee will have to determine who will secure the final spot in the College Football Playoff.

The criteria for selection are clear, and when considering championships won, strength of schedule, head-to-head competition, and comparative outcomes of common opponents, it becomes evident that Texas should be in, while Alabama and Georgia should be out.

Texas and Alabama both have one championship, while Georgia does not. In terms of strength of schedule, Texas ranks No. 11, Alabama ranks No. 31, and Georgia sits at No. 61. When it comes to head-to-head competition, Georgia is 0-1 against the field, Alabama is 1-1, and Texas is 1-0, with a decisive win against Alabama.

Comparative matchups of common opponents also favor Texas, as Georgia was slightly more impressive against Ole Miss and Tennessee than Alabama. However, Texas did not have any common opponents with Alabama or Georgia, other than Alabama itself, which Texas beat, and Georgia lost to.

The head-to-head victory of Texas over Alabama remains one of the best wins in college football this season, and with a better strength of schedule, Texas has a strong case for inclusion in the College Football Playoff.

While the SEC has historically been a dominant force in college football, this specific argument is about the performance of specific teams, and Texas has proven itself to be a playoff-caliber team this season. Steve Sarkisian has led the Longhorns to national relevance, with a strong defense and an offense full of playmakers.

In a year where all five power conference champions have finished 12-1 or better, and only four spots are available, Texas is a clear choice for inclusion in the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns are fully capable of winning the national title, and their performance this season warrants their place in the field.