Following the loss to the Florida Gators to open SEC play, the Texas Longhorns fall to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. This team still hasn’t looked like the No. 1-ranked squad it entered the season as. Saturday’s loss really put things into perspective on where this group is right now, and how far it still has to go.

But the loss doesn’t necessarily eliminate Texas from the College Football Playoff picture. In the new 12-team format, going 10-2 — which means winning out — or even 9-3 in the SEC could still get the Longhorns in, depending on strength of schedule and how the rest of the conference race shakes out.

Texas still has several key games ahead that could serve as marquee wins on its resume against Oklahoma next week, plus Georgia and Texas A&M down the line. If the Longhorns somehow win out and take down those teams, that’ll carry serious weight with the committee.

The bigger challenge now is how they win. In the modern playoff era, dominance matters. When multiple two-loss teams are in contention, it’s not just about the record, it’s about how those wins looked and whether you left any doubt.

That means Texas can’t just cruise. From here on out, the Longhorns will have to pile up convincing, decisive wins to stay relevant in the playoff conversation.

There's one path that is very clear. Finish 10-2, reach the SEC Championship with just one loss, win it, and lock in a playoff spot. Anything short of that means hoping to sneak in as a three-loss team and needing help elsewhere.

It’s a tough road, but the season isn’t over. The margin for error is gone, but the chance is still there.