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Texas Longhorns football coach Steve Sarkisian made the case for his team entering the College Football Playoff after Arch Manning led an upset victory over Texas A&M.
Manning was 14 of 29 with 179 passing yards and a touchdown pass. He found Ryan Wingo for a 29-yard score to give the Longhorns a three-point lead in the third quarter. Then, leading by three points in the fourth quarter, Manning ran for a 35-yard touchdown to give Texas a 10-point lead.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates a touchdown against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
No. 16 Texas won the game, 27-17, and ruined No. 3 Texas A&M’s hopes of reaching the SEC Championship.
“We are absolutely a playoff team and worthy of having the opportunity to play for a national championship.”
If the Longhorns made the Playoffs, they would be the first three-loss team to do so. They have a bad loss to Florida on their resume, which would likely prevent them from reaching the final 12. Their other losses were against No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Georgia.
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From left, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, offensive lineman Trevor Goosby and offensive lineman Brandon Baker celebrate after a win over Texas A&M in an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
Sarkisian said the Longhorns should be rewarded, not punished, for scheduling a non-conference matchup with the defending national champions to start the season.
“If we’re a 10-2 team right now, this is not a discussion,” Sarkisian said.
Manning echoed Sarkisian’s sentiments.
“If they let us in, we can beat anyone,” Manning said. “If you don’t think we’re one of the 12 best teams in the country, I don’t know what to tell you.”
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, calls down the line during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
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There would probably have to be more chaos surrounding college football for Texas to get on the field. They were four spots behind the Miami Hurricanes in the latest College Football Playoff rankings earlier this week.
