Steve Sarkisian Pushes for Texas Playoff Consideration Despite 9-3 Record

The Texas football program ended its 2025 season with a dominant home victory over Texas A&M, handing the Aggies their first loss of the year and finishing the season at 9-3. Despite some assumptions that the Longhorns were out of playoff contention after a blowout loss to Georgia, head coach Steve Sarkisian has not backed away from advocating for his team.

Sarkisian has been vocal about how the College Football Playoff committee should evaluate his team’s performance. Speaking on SEC This Morning, he emphasized that the committee should consider the quality of opponents and the context of games rather than relying solely on final scores.

The Longhorns’ resume includes impressive victories over Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma, showcasing their ability to compete against high-level competition. These wins, Sarkisian argues, highlight that Texas is capable of performing against strong teams when it matters.

However, Texas also suffered losses to Florida and needed overtime to beat Mississippi State and Kentucky, which could weigh heavily against them in the committee’s decision-making. Even with his lobbying, Sarkisian faces an uphill battle in a crowded playoff race.

1. Key Wins and Season Highlights

Texas’ victory over Texas A&M was the program’s signature win of the season, demonstrating the Longhorns’ ability to execute in high-pressure rivalry games. Earlier in the year, wins against Oklahoma and Vanderbilt also helped bolster the Longhorns’ profile, providing evidence that they could compete against strong programs in both conference and non-conference matchups. Sarkisian has pointed to these wins as proof that Texas has the talent and capability to be considered for the College Football Playoff, arguing that beating quality opponents should matter more than simply having a spotless record. These victories also show the Longhorns’ ability to respond to adversity and perform in high-stakes situations, an aspect Sarkisian believes should factor into the committee’s assessment.

2. Challenges and Questionable Losses

Despite the impressive wins, Texas’ losses to teams like Florida and close overtime games against Mississippi State and Kentucky remain major obstacles. These results highlight inconsistency and raise questions about whether Texas can reliably compete against elite competition, which the committee is likely to weigh heavily. The blowout loss to Georgia further complicates Texas’ case, as such defeats are often difficult to overlook when determining playoff seeding. Sarkisian acknowledges these challenges but continues to argue that the committee should evaluate the full body of work, including competitiveness in difficult matchups and context behind each game.

3. Sarkisian’s Playoff Argument

Sarkisian has consistently framed his argument around the concept of strength of schedule and the importance of playing quality opponents. He has highlighted the Longhorns’ close loss to Ohio State as an example of how challenging non-conference games can demonstrate a team’s true potential, even in defeat. The coach also raises the broader debate about whether teams should be penalized for taking on tough schedules, suggesting that competing against elite programs should be rewarded rather than discouraged. While the Longhorns’ record may not be enough on its own, Sarkisian’s advocacy reflects a broader strategy to ensure Texas is evaluated on its full body of work, hoping that the committee considers context alongside wins and losses.