Joel Klatt: Texas is being ‘boxed out’ of College Football Playoff

This is unfamiliar territory for Texas in recent times. College Football Playoff discussion has not been too present in Austin, with the program heading in the wrong direction once the format was introduced. Steve Sarkisian has changed things, currently sitting with a 9-1 record and a real chance at being one of the final four teams.

FOX’s Joel Klatt does not like how things are trending for Texas, though. In his eyes, the Longhorns are being “boxed out” of the College Football Playoff. Despite having a No. 7 ranking on Tuesday night, Klatt thinks the direct paths are slowly closing.

“Texas is in a bind,” Klatt said. “A real bind… Texas is being boxed out probably three different ways. And it’s going to be really tough for them to overcome this. Texas needs help.”

Scenario 1 – There are four undefeated teams

There is a real chance the College Football Playoff committee does not have a big decision to make on Selection Sunday. Georgia, Michigan/Ohio State, Florida State, and Washington all have the chance to be undefeated and win conference championship games.

While missing out on the CFP might stink after going 11-1 and winning the Big 12, there is not much Sarkisian can do in this scenario.

“You tip your cap if you’re Texas and you move on,” Klatt said. “You wish it was the 12-team playoff but it’s not.”

Scenario 2 – Oregon wins argument over Texas due to Washington win, Pac-12 title

For three straight weeks, the three key one-loss teams have stayed in order. Oregon has been at No. 6 followed by Texas and Alabama. Sure, there have been debates about that specific trio but the committee has not budged off of it.

In the scenario where Oregon runs the table and wins the Pac-12, Klatt sees them winning the argument over Texas for a potential final spot. Georgia, Michigan/Ohio State, and Florida State would all be undefeated in this specific case.

“Oregon beats Washington, straight up,” Klatt said. “They’re a champ and the committee has shown week over week that they think Oregon is better than Texas… I just don’t believe Texas is going to win an argument over Oregon.

“In particular, if Oregon is able to avenge their lone loss of the season against Washington in a Pac-12 Championship game. I don’t think [Texas] is going to win that argument given on what the committee has given us.”

Of course, there is always a chance for Texas to leap Oregon before the conference championships. However, hypothetical wins over Iowa State and Texas Tech likely do not match up against Arizona State and mainly — Oregon State.

If it were to play out as such, Klatt likes the Ducks to take the CFP spot.

Scenario 3 – Alabama gets in despite head-to-head loss

This scenario from Klatt would likely cause the most commotion.

A head-to-head win over Alabama has meant something to this point for Texas. But with how the two teams are playing at the current moment, you can argue Alabama is in better form. Should it give Nick Saban‘s team the final nod while completely ignoring the Sept. 9 matchup in Tuscaloosa?

Klatt thinks it’s beginning to gain momentum.

“You hear this drumbeat for a 12-1 Alabama,” Klatt said. “You hear ‘Well, it’s different. They’re so much better now. Hey, if they beat No. 1 Georgia and they end that win streak.’… There are going to be a lot of voices, not mine, spewing the propaganda that Bama deserves to be in the playoff ahead of Texas.”

Klatt went on to call the idea “patently absurd” but not everyone agrees. During Tuesday’s CFP ranking reveal show, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said Alabama over Texas with both teams at 12-1 might be “worth a discussion.”

“If Alabama keeps trending that way — they have to win out for this to even be a discussion,” Herbstreit said. “I know head-to-head is one metric but it’s not the only metric. I’m assuming Texas is kind of boxing Alabama out. But if you keep winning and bouncing off guard rails and Alabama keeps getting better and better — it’s worth, at the very least, a discussion at the very end.”

Texas is in a bit of a ‘wait and see’ mode with the College Football Playoff. For now, the goal is to get into and win the Big 12 Championship game for the first time since 2009. Iowa State on the road will be a tough test they desperately need to hurdle in order to accomplish it.

If they come out Sarkisian will then begin to campaign for his squad to have a chance at competing for a national championship.