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Greg McElroy debates whether Texas vs. Texas A&M is must-win for both teams in College Football Playoff race

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•11/06/24•

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The first meeting in 13 years between Texas and Texas A&M is shaping up to have College Football Playoff implications for both teams. The Aggies and Longhorns will renew their rivalry in the final game of the regular season as they are finally back in the same conference.

Both teams have one conference loss at the moment, and if they win out this could be the game that decides which is playing for an SEC Championship. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy was posed the question on Always College Football as to whether they could potentially play again in the conference title game, but he doesn’t believe that’s likely.

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“If Texas loses to A&M, they’d have two losses in the SEC,” he said. “I think that’s unlikely that they even get to the SEC Championship game to begin with under that scenario. I think Texas with three losses and a loss in the SEC Championship game would likely be out. Where’s their best win in that scenario? Vanderbilt?

“…Texas’ remaining schedule is Florida, at Arkansas and Kentucky. They’re a heavy favorite in each of those three. None of those three right now are likely to finish the season above .500. So, if they were to win those, their best win right now is against Vandy and then you lose to A&M, your best win’s still Vandy. I don’t think that’s enough under any circumstance.”

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Texas A&M at least has a win against a team currently ranked in the top 25, as it beat LSU two weeks ago. However, a loss for the Aggies against Texas would at least throw their chances as an at-large bid in question.

Both teams might stand a chance to get in still if their only loss the rest of the way is in that final game, especially if the other goes on to win the SEC Championship. But McElroy does not believe a three-loss team from any conference will get in this season.

“I know people are already assuming the scenario where a three-loss team from the SEC or Big Ten gets in,” he said. “I don’t see it. Could we have chaos the next few weeks? Absolutely. In the event in which we do, I’m 100% willing to acknowledge that a three-loss team might get in.

“But right now, there’s a lot of teams that are playing not such great competition down the stretch. Assuming chalk flies, which is always a dangerous assumption, I just don’t think there’s gonna be enough meat on the bone to get a three-loss team in.”