**Is Texas Out of the Playoff? Explaining Longhorns’ CFP Chances After Loss to Georgia**
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season as the top-ranked team in the AP Poll. Fast forward a few months, and their College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes are now very much in question.
Steve Sarkisian’s squad fell 35-10 to No. 5 Georgia on Saturday night, marking the Longhorns’ third loss of the season. The Bulldogs’ defense came through on crucial third downs and intercepted Texas quarterback Arch Manning once, while Gunner Stockton shined with five total touchdowns.
The result of Texas vs. Georgia carries major SEC and CFP implications, significantly shrinking the Longhorns’ chances of returning to the 12-team playoff bracket this season. So, can Texas still make a run to the 2025 College Football Playoff? Here’s an updated look at the Longhorns’ case after falling to Georgia.
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### Is Texas Out of the Playoff?
At the very least, Texas now faces a steep uphill climb to reach the College Football Playoff. A shot at the SEC Championship is virtually off the table with three losses. That means the Longhorns would have to make their case for an at-large bid.
While not impossible, receiving an at-large bid after three losses is unlikely. In recent seasons, no at-large teams in the CFP bracket had three or more losses.
Still, there is at least one reason to give Texas a chance.
Steve Sarkisian’s squad has a critical matchup against No. 3 Texas A&M on November 28 to conclude the regular season. If the Longhorns can win out — claiming victories over Arkansas and then the unbeaten Aggies over the next two weeks — serious conversations about their playoff resume could emerge.
Even with three prior losses, a win over the SEC’s top-ranked, undefeated Texas A&M right before Selection Sunday would generate major buzz. It could be enough to sneak Texas into the bracket despite earlier defeats to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia this season.
Another factor in Texas’ playoff case is the quality of its losses. Two of the three defeats came against teams regarded as top-5 playoff contenders: Ohio State and Georgia. This strength of schedule provides a slight boost. However, the loss to Florida can’t be spun positively.
Typically, three-loss teams are ruled out for at-large CFP bids. Texas could be an exception — but only if it wins out. Should the Longhorns defeat Texas A&M later this month, don’t be surprised if they remain in playoff conversations.
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### SEC Teams With Three Losses
There are now three SEC teams with three losses in the 2025 season: Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri. Of the three, Texas still has the best playoff case, having lost only to a pair of top-5 teams and still facing a top-5 opponent.
Here’s a breakdown of the three-loss SEC squads’ best wins and losses:
**Texas (7-3, 4-2 in SEC)**
– **Best wins:** 23-6 over No. 6 Oklahoma (Oct. 11), 34-31 over No. 9 Vanderbilt (Nov. 1)
– **Losses:** 14-7 to No. 3 Ohio State (Aug. 30), 29-21 to Florida (Oct. 4), 35-10 to No. 5 Georgia (Nov. 15)
**Tennessee (7-3, 3-3 in SEC)**
– **Best wins:** 56-34 over Kentucky (Oct. 25), 41-34 over Mississippi State (Sept. 27)
– **Losses:** 44-41 to No. 6 Georgia (Sept. 13), 37-20 to No. 6 Alabama (Oct. 18), 33-27 to No. 18 Oklahoma (Nov. 1)
**Missouri (6-3, 2-3 in SEC)**
– **Best wins:** 29-20 over South Carolina (Sept. 20), 23-17 over Auburn (Oct. 18)
– **Losses:** 27-24 to No. 8 Alabama (Oct. 11), 17-10 to No. 10 Vanderbilt (Oct. 25), 38-17 to No. 3 Texas A&M (Nov. 8)
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### Updated SEC Football Standings
Following the Texas vs. Georgia game, here are the updated SEC standings. [Note: Insert standings table or link]
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### Texas Remaining Schedule
Texas will conclude the regular season with two important matchups: first against Arkansas, then finishing with Texas A&M on November 28.
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### Georgia Remaining Schedule
The Bulldogs will wrap up their 2025 regular season facing Charlotte, followed by Georgia Tech.
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### Final Thoughts
Texas’s path to the College Football Playoff is challenging but not yet impossible. A strong finish, capped by a win over undefeated Texas A&M, could keep the Longhorns in the playoff conversation despite three losses. However, any slip-up will almost certainly end their CFP hopes for the season.
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*For more details on Arch Manning’s performance and SEC football updates, stay tuned.*
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/texas-playoff-explaining-longhorns-cfp-050259525.html
