Texas A&M football landed at the third overall spot last week in the College Football Playoff rankings, despite having as strong of a claim as anyone to that top spot. That's not as offensive in and of itself as it is that the committee making very clear that there really was no consideration of the Aggies for that top spot.
They made that clear thanks to their absurd explanation of Texas A&M down at the third spot— one which CFP committee spokesman Mack Rhoades (notably, the Athletic Director at rival Baylor) made out to seem as though the Aggies were a distant third, despite the clear evidence otherwise.
There's some renewed hope that the Aggies could make their way up to that second spot thanks to Indiana's performance this week, but A&M fans shouldn't be getting their hopes up. If we've learned one thing in 2025, it's that this Aggie team will have to earn every inch of the respect they're going to get.
Texas A&M fans shouldn't hold their breaths that the CFP committee will treat Aggies fairly this week
Texas A&M had the most impressive win by far of the top three teams this past weekend, obliterating the top-25 Missouri Tigers on the road by three touchdowns. They scored more on the Tigers than any other opponent had the entire season and completely crushed a Missouri offense that boasts elite talent in RB Ahmad Hardy and WR Kevin Coleman.
Even so, the excuses have already come raining down. There's been a heavy focus on the fact that Missouri was without Beau Pribula (who was not worth three touchdowns) in that game, which matters, but is not ultimately why the Aggies won.
Compare that with the propping up of 3-6 Penn State, who nearly beat Indiana this week, as a very talented team that just has had some bad breaks, and you can already see the way the wind is blowing here. Never mind that Indiana was playing a backup quarterback as well— the Aggies are the ones who had a less impressive win!
This is, of course, ridiculous. But don't be surprised to see Mack Rhoades reference Pribula's absence as a reason they are going to keep Texas A&M down at 3 this week— and don't be surprised if they mysteriously fail to comment in the slightest on Indiana's defense (which was what they called a separator between the Hoosiers and Aggies last week) giving up 24 points to an absolutely putrid Penn State team in a nail-biter.