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Texas A&M Football: First CFB Playoff ranking never really mattered

By Matthew Bartlett

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Texas A&M Football was ranked No. 5 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, but that result won’t have much bearing on the Aggies’ season.

Most Texas A&M football fans probably remember all too well seeing the Aggies featured front and center on the first set week of College Football Playoff rankings in 2016. Despite a loss to Alabama (sound familiar?), Texas A&M was in the Top 4 with a clear line of sight toward a playoff berth.

With a week, the Aggies lost to 3-5 Mississippi State, dashing those short-lived dreams.

The 2020 Texas A&M football team hasn’t played in two weeks. Nevertheless, on Tuesday night they were slotted in just outside of the College Football Playoff Top 4 at No. 5. Regardless of wherever the committee slotted them in this week, though, the path to the Playoff was never going to change.

The Aggies have a date with LSU this weekend and tentatively close with games against Auburn and Tennessee. If they want to have a chance, Texas A&M has to win out. That would put them at 8-1 with a head-to-head win over fellow contender, Florida.

From there, it’ll come down to whatever else happens around them. The best-case scenario would probably be undefeated Ohio State and Notre Dame squads, with Alabama beating Florida to win the SEC. That would give Texas A&M a fighting chance to be selected against a Pac-12 or Big 12 champ. But none of that matters if Texas A&M doesn’t keep winning.

The Playoff rankings don’t function like the AP Poll and haven’t for some time. Being ranked in the first edition of the poll doesn’t secure your spot. Being No. 4 this weekend wouldn’t have made Texas A&M any more likely to reach the field than being ranked No. 5.

light. More. Where do the Ags rank among CFB's top fanbases?

The best way for Texas A&M football to alleviate any frustration would be a resounding win against rival LSU at Kyle Field on Saturday. Then let the Playoff rankings take care of themselves.