Longhorns rest while playoff contenders battle. See which upsets and outcomes boost Texas's CFP chances this pivotal Saturday.
It's bye week for the No. 11 Texas Longhorns (7-2). After a four-game winning streak, the team gets a much-needed week of rest.
That Texas is as highly ranked as it is a testament to the team's resolve and the opportunity that a 12-team College Football Playoff presents. There could be more opportunity after Saturday.
Texas gets to sit back and watch other playoff contenders sweat out pivotal games while the Longhorns enjoy their week of rest.
Only college football's Top 10 teams are all but guaranteed to make the playoff. ACC front runner No. 14 Virginia (8-1) and the Group of Five playoff contenders currently rank behind Texas but would get the automatic conference title big should the season end today.
A handful of games present the chance for Texas to go from the playoff's last at-large contender out of the field to solidly in the tournament. Let's look at what Texas faithful should want to see this week.
Georgia Wins, but Mississippi State Exposes Defense
Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) catches a pass for a touchdown score during the first quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia held off Florida 24-20. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-UnionThe No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs have proven vulnerable on defense over the course of the season. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban identified one of their weaknesses on ESPN's College GameDay. Saban noted that Georgia struggled against No. 25 Tennessee's up-tempo offense and might have difficult time slowing Mississippi State's tempo offense.
Whether or not Texas will adopt that style of offense will be worth monitoring. The Longhorns may be able to beat Georgia in other ways. Last season the Bulldogs were inconsistent in defending the quarterback run. Dual threat, mobile Texas quarterback Arch Manning could stress the Georgia defense with the running game. Still, it will be worth monitoring what weaknesses Mississippi State unearths on Saturday.
Texas can hope for a close Georgia win to preserve the Bulldogs' Top 5 ranking, but one that give Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian ammunition to defeat the SEC contenders.
BYU Hands Texas Tech Its Second Loss
Iowa State Cyclones' running back Carson Hansen (26) runs with the ball for a first down as BYU Cougars linebacker Max Alford (30) defends at Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesTexas can't count on making the playoff with three losses, but should it lose a game to one of their two Top 5 matchups in Georgia or Texas A&M it would need just one Big 12 team to make the 12-team field.
The No. 7 BYU Cougars are undefeated so far this season. They take on the one-loss No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders. And while Texas faithful would welcome another matchup against Texas Tech in the playoff, a Tech loss leaves less to chance in the Longhorns' bid for the tournament.
Texas could get into the field should Texas Tech fall on Saturday.
Iowa, Navy Pull Improbable Upsets
Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees reacts after an official's whistle stops the game before a snap during the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. SBT Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN via FTP Notre Dame Vs NavyFew expect the Navy Midshipmen (7-1) to defeat the No. 10 Notre Dame Irish (6-2). Perhaps nearly as few envision No. 20 Iowa (6-2) knocking off the No. 9 Oregon Ducks (7-1). Yet it's not out of the realm of possibility that either or both get the upset win. A loss by Oregon or Notre Dame almost certainly moves Texas into the Top 10