Out of the top 12 teams, the Texas Longhorns saw one of the most significant surge in the College Football Playoff rankings from the first to second release. Now, the Horns are the No. 3 team in the nation after a blowout win over the Florida Gators.
Just one week ago, the Longhorns were hovering at No. 5, on both the AP Poll and the CFP rankings, but after a complete game by the Texas squad, a few more people are holding their horns up.
Here is everything that CFP Committee Chair Warde Manuel said about the Horns following the second release of the rankings:
On if Texas actually advanced or if their rise was due to other teams' losses:
"Well, we judge them based on how they play, who they play in their season, but obviously, yes, both Georgia and Miami lost ahead of them. They had a decisive win against Florida this week. So part of where they landed at 3 was a combination of their play but also who lost ahead of them and how we looked at the entirety of ranking the top 25."
On Ole Miss moving up five spots and how a big point-differential matters:
"Well, it was an impressive win. We watched the game. We discussed it. It was really an impressive win for them, dominant on both sides of the ball against Georgia. They also had that win against South Carolina. The close loss against Kentucky was something that we discussed, as well, and then losing to LSU in overtime. But the reality is they beat a very good Georgia team, who, while struggling and inconsistent offensively, is still a great team. Georgia may have one of the best wins of the year by going to Texas and winning the way they did. It was impressive, and the committee was very impressed with what Ole Miss has done in their body of work this year, and particularly looking at how they played in that particular game."
The College Football Playoff top 12 (as of Nov. 12):
- Oregon Ducks (1-0)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1)
- Texas Longhorns (8-1)
- Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1)
- Indiana Hoosiers (10-0)
- BYU Cougars (9-0)
- Tennessee Volunteers (8-1)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1)
- Miami Hurricanes (9-1)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2)
- Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)
- Georgia Bulldogs (7-2)
The regular season has a few weeks, not to mention that the conference championship games still have to be figured out and played. So, yes, it's good that the Horns are continuing to rise in the CFP rankings, however, don't get ahead of yourself until all is said and done.