Texas Beats No. 18 Missouri: Could Longhorns Crack Top Five in College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction?
Texas strengthens its case
The Longhorns’ win over Missouri came after they opened at No. 7 in the CFP rankings, despite sitting at No. 10 in the AP Poll and having two losses. That initial placement put Texas ahead of several teams with better records, including undefeated UCLA.
Texas now has ranked wins over Ole Miss, Ohio State, Tennessee and Missouri, based on the committee’s first rankings. Its latest victory adds to a résumé the committee may value for its strength of schedule.
Indiana comparison remains close
Indiana entered at No. 4 without a win over a team in the initial top 25. Its only loss was to Ohio State, while the Hoosiers were on a bye as Texas defeated Missouri.
Texas has a case in a direct comparison, but Indiana owns the better record. The committee could also give the Hoosiers the benefit of the doubt after their championship, so a Texas jump is far from certain.
Other teams hold their ground
Texas could move past Kentucky after the Wildcats lost 34-6 to Tennessee. Georgia and Utah, however, have offered little reason to drop, while Alabama’s 31-13 win over LSU strengthened its position after the committee placed the Crimson Tide ahead of Texas last week.
Notre Dame entered at No. 11 and then beat previously undefeated Miami, earning the signature win it had lacked. Its next-best wins were over Wisconsin and Michigan State, neither of which appeared in the initial top 25; Notre Dame’s loss was to No. 9 BYU, which has lost two of its last three.
Miami’s résumé faces scrutiny
Miami began Saturday at No. 1, but its 33-20 road win over No. 16 Wake Forest was its only victory over a team in the initial CFP rankings. Its loss to Notre Dame ended its unbeaten run and weakened its résumé in comparison with Texas.
The Longhorns’ four ranked wins could make a move past Miami, Notre Dame and Indiana arguable, but the article says putting Texas ahead of all three after one weekend could be an overreaction. Tuesday’s rankings will show how the committee weighs those competing records and victories.
Key points
- Texas beat No. 18 Missouri 34-20 to reach 7-2.
- The Longhorns have four wins over teams in the initial CFP rankings.
- Indiana, Miami and Notre Dame each have reasons to remain ahead of Texas.
- The committee is scheduled to release its second rankings Tuesday evening.