Lucky Longhorns Get Major Update In New CFP Rankings

Something happened last night while I was pondering the reality that Marcus Spears Jr. might wind up being more impactful in Austin than Arch Manning.

It wasn’t quite as seismic as other certain rankings reveals Tuesday night in Texas, but the University of Texas Longhorns football team also received some surprising news.

Despite two ugly losses to unranked opponents, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s team got a promising slot in the first College Football Playoff rankings.

Texas comes in slotted at No. 7 in the 12-team field.

How lucky is Texas with that ranking? How favorable is that ranking for the 'Horns?

Texas and its two losses are ahead of undefeated UCLA, which comes in at No. 8.

It’s been a chaotic season for Coach Sark and his program ... and the first rankings followed suit. Alabama, with two losses, comes in above one-loss Tennessee, a team that throttled the Crimson Tide.

Alabama is also ahead of Texas, despite the 'Horns owning three signature wins over Top 15 teams and decidedly better overall resume.

But there will be no grousing allowed around here over things like that.

The SEC comes in with six of the top 11 spots. Miami is No. 1. For now.

There is a positive bottom line here for a star-studded UT roster featuring talented guys like QB Arch Manning and so many others ...

Because of its lofty initial ranking, the Longhorns clearly have a path into the 12-team playoff.

And if you want to project more challenges along with projecting more luck?

Well, given the committee’s respect for the SEC, the Longhorns might even get in with a third loss - which is potentially what awaits this seesawing program when it plays at LSU on Nov. 18.