Texas & OU CFP Bubble: One Path Clear, One Needs Help

**Texas Aims for Clear Playoff Path, Oklahoma Needs Chaos as Big 12 Faces Crucial Weekend**

**DALLAS, TX – December 1, 2023** – As the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture tightens, two Big 12 titans, the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners, find themselves precariously perched on the playoff bubble, each with a 10-2 record but vastly different routes to potentially crack the coveted top four. With the latest CFP rankings released Tuesday night, Texas landed at No. 7, while Oklahoma followed closely at No. 9, setting the stage for a dramatic championship weekend.

The path appears clearer for the Texas Longhorns, who are preparing for a pivotal matchup in the Big 12 Championship game this Saturday, December 2nd, against No. 18 Oklahoma State. A victory in Arlington would not only secure the Big 12 title but also significantly bolster their resume. The Longhorns’ signature road win against then-No. 3 Alabama in Week 2, a 34-24 triumph, continues to be a major talking point for the CFP committee and could prove instrumental in their final ranking if they emerge as a one-loss Power Five conference champion.

Head Coach Steve Sarkisian’s squad, despite an early-season stumble against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, has demonstrated resilience and consistency, stringing together victories and showcasing a robust defense alongside an explosive offense led by quarterback Quinn Ewers. The committee historically places high value on conference championships, especially for teams with a strong schedule and quality wins. Should Texas defeat Oklahoma State, they would present a compelling case, potentially leapfrogging other one-loss contenders.

Oklahoma’s scenario, however, is far more complex. Despite their impressive 10-2 record, the Sooners will not be participating in the Big 12 Championship game. Their two losses this season – a narrow 34-30 defeat to Texas and a significant upset to unranked Kansas on October 28th – have critically damaged their standing with the CFP committee. That loss to the Jayhawks, in particular, proved to be a costly blow, as the committee often scrutinizes “bad losses” more harshly than losses to highly-ranked opponents.

Under first-year head coach Brent Venables, Oklahoma showed remarkable improvement from their 2022 campaign, but their absence from their own conference championship game inherently weakens their argument compared to other one-loss or undefeated teams who will play for their league titles this weekend. For the Sooners to have any realistic shot at the CFP’s final four spots, they would need a cascade of upsets in other major conference championships, including losses from multiple teams ranked above them.

The high stakes for both programs are compounded by the fact that this year marks the final season of the four-team College Football Playoff format before its expansion to 12 teams in 2024. For Texas and Oklahoma, two programs steeped in national championship aspirations, securing a spot in this last traditional four-team playoff would carry immense historical significance.

All eyes will be on AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Saturday afternoon for the Big 12 Championship game, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 AM CT. The CFP committee will then unveil its final rankings and playoff selections during Selection Sunday, December 3rd, bringing clarity to a thrilling and often unpredictable college football season. Both the Longhorns and Sooners, along with their fervent fan bases, will be watching closely, hoping to hear their names called for a shot at national glory.