Texas A&M ranks third once again in the latest AP Poll, just as we predicted earlier this morning would be the case. They drew nearer in overall points to the Indiana Hoosiers after the latter barely escaped Happy Valley with a win against Penn State, but Curt Cignetti's squad maintained a slight lead when all was said and done.
To be clear, the prediction was made due to an understanding of how the AP Poll generally works, not because this was the right ranking for the Aggies. At this point, it seems clear that Texas A&M deserves either the no. 2 or no. 1 overall ranking in the nation.
The good news is that we are now at the point in the season where the AP Poll matters the least. That's because the College Football Playoff rankings are now the standard at this point in the season, and when they release theirs on Tuesday, they have a chance to right the AP Poll's wrongs.
Texas A&M can be moved into rightful place over Indiana after Tuesday's CFP rankings
To be clear, this is not a slam dunk in the slightest. The committee last week was far too dismissive of Texas A&M in their answers about the top 3, so it's tough to really say whether they will change their tune at this point.
But their point about the Indiana defense being a separator for the Hoosiers over the Aggies is taking on a fair bit of water right now. IU gave up 24 points to 3-6 Penn State's backup quarterback and barely were able to get away from State College with a victory. With how poorly PSU has played on offense this year, even with Drew Allar, that's a real black mark.
Will the committee admit the error of their ways? That's doubtful. For all the talk about these rankings being a blank slate each week, I really find it hard to believe that the committee will walk back everything that Baylor AD Mack Rhoades had to say about the Aggies. They have the power to right this wrong, but they may not have the integrity to do so.