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Texas Longhorns football coach Steve Sarkisian made his case for his team to make the College Football Playoff after Arch Manning led an upset victory over Texas A&M.
Manning finished 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, up by three points in the fourth quarter, Manning rushed 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 Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
No. 16 Texas won the game, 27-17, and dashed No. 3 Texas A&M’s hopes of winning the SEC championship.
“We are absolutely a playoff team and deserve the opportunity to play for a national championship.”
If the Longhorns made the playoffs, they would be the first team to suffer three losses. They have a bad loss to Florida on their resume, which would likely keep them from making the final 12. Their other losses came 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 victory over Texas A&M in an NCAA college football game, 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 game with the defending national champions to start the season.
“If we’re a 10-2 team right now, that’s not a discussion,” Sarkisian said.
Manning echoed Sargsyan’s sentiments.
“If you let us in, we can beat anybody,” Manning said. “If you don’t think we’re one of the top 12 teams in the country, I don’t know what to tell you.”
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, calls over 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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It would probably take more chaos around college football for Texas to get on the field. They were ranked four spots behind the Miami Hurricanes in the latest College Football Playoff rankings earlier this week.
