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    • Where Aggies Stand in CFP Race
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    Where Aggies Stand in CFP Race

    Umito Posted on

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    Texas A&M football faces the biggest game of the season yet after winning its toughest SEC competition yet.

    With victories over rival Arkansas and an upset above Missouri’s top 10 at the timeA&M now faces a LSU team with College Football Playoff aspirations.

    THE Aggies suffered an early season disappointment with its Week 1 loss to Notre Dame, but they have since reeled off six straight wins. And their games haven’t been that close, with only two games coming down to one possession. Perhaps few expected it before the season, but A&M has a better chance than many Power Four programs at the expanded CFP as it currently stands.

    From Saturday morning, Texas A&M has a 33% chance of getting the CFP, according to ESPN projections. The playoff field, starting this year, is now 12 teams, opening up a chance for Power Conference teams to make the playoffs without winning their championship.

    GAME OF THE WEEK: Texas A&M football vs. LSU scouting report, predictions

    In the expanded CFP field, there is a greater margin for error and more SEC teams should be invited. A&M could take a big step in that direction with a victory Saturday at Kyle Field.

    Let’s see what the experts are saying ahead of week 9 and what needs to be done afterward:

    Does Texas A&M have a chance in the College Football Playoff?

    For now, they have a chance. But experts doing early “bracketology” have the Aggies on the outside looking in on Saturday’s action. This is likely a result of their No. 14 ranking in the LBM American Coaches and AP Polls.

    THE Associated Press counts A&M among its “next five” outside the field, while The Athletic has the Aggies at 20th with some work to do.

    Texas A&M doesn’t have many resume-building opportunities outside of this game against LSU and the regular season finale against Texas. A win on Saturday would be a boost to the Aggies’ chances.

    REPORT CARD: Texas A&M and Mississippi State grades

    What happens to Texas A&M’s CFP chances if they beat LSU?

    Texas A&M now controls its own destiny, and with a win on Saturday, they would be in the driver’s seat. If they are able to win the games after LSU, they should catapult themselves above the Tigers in the AP and The Athletic bracketology.

    Screening of USA TODAY doesn’t mention A&M at all, but it’s easy to imagine Texas A&M supplanting LSU at No. 8, or better, there. With a win on Saturday, it’s conceivable, but not guaranteed, that the Aggies would have a solid shot at the CFP if they win two of their three remaining conference games and finish the season 7-1 in the SEC.

    RELATED: SEC releases tiebreaker rules for teams vying for spots in conference championship game

    What happens to Texas A&M’s CFP chances if it loses to LSU?

    The Aggies would need to win the rest of their SEC games, including the season finale at home against rival Texas, to give themselves a clear chance at the tournament.

    Having a loss in SEC play is nothing to sneeze at, but other teams with just one SEC team include Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee. And of course, the Aggies would fall behind the Tigers in a loss. Given that the Aggies’ remaining schedule includes South Carolina, Auburn and New Mexico State, there isn’t much greater chance of a signature victory.

    A&M Vs. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 3 takeaways as Aggies remain undefeated in SEC play

    Other Week 9 games to watch

    Tennessee and Georgia are inactive this week. The Missouri-Alabama game is actually a playoff game, sending a ranked SEC team to three conference losses.

    Outside of the SEC, 7-0 Indiana hosts Washington and could surely use a win before facing Michigan and Ohio State next month. The Big Ten will likely have two or three teams in the tournament, so A&M could benefit from a few losses at the top of that conference. Indiana, Oregon (hosting Illinois in Week 9) and Penn State (at Wisconsin) are perfect in the league. The upstart Illini also has an outside chance in the CFP (Ohio State plays Penn State next week, but we’ll worry about that later).

    In the ACC, SMU (3-0 in conference) is at Duke (2-1 ACC) today. Pitt, Miami and Clemson, which already has five league wins, are all perfect in conference play as well. Pitt has already beaten Syracuse this week, Miami hosts Florida State tonight and Clemson is idle.

    In Texas A&M’s old stomping grounds, the Big 12, BYU and Iowa State appear to have the edge, with Kansas State seeking an at-large bid. THE Cyclones are off this week before a game against Texas Tech. K-State hosts rival Kansas tonight. BYU travels to face UCF. The season finale between Kansas State and Iowa State could be particularly interesting for Aggies fans, if A&M can take care of enough of its business in advance.

    Other schools to watch: Notre Dame, Army, Ole Miss and Washington State.

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    Umito
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