CFP chair gives honest answer for why Texas A&M is behind Ohio State, Indiana
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Mack Rhoades, Baylor’s athletics director, has overseen his first College Football Playoff rankings release since being named the selection committee’s chair ahead of the 2025 season.
There wasn’t a great deal of drama, at least judging from social media and even the reaction of ESPN’s own Greg McElroy. The only cause for frustration was the ESPN app’s video feed going out in the middle of the rankings show.
As far as the top 3, it was expected to be made up of Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M. In fact, the Buckeyes were No. 1, followed by the Hoosiers and the Aggies.
So why were the Aggies placed No. 3 in the initial rankings?
“We felt like Ohio State and Indiana were close, when you look at the statistical data. We felt Ohio State was a little bit better on the offensive line and defensively,” Rhoades said, according to TexAgs. “When we included A&M as part of the discussion, we felt like the separator there was the defense.”
Looking ahead to Texas A&M’s schedule, it has Mizzou, South Carolina, Samford, and Texas coming up. While it’s No. 3 in the rankings, the prime objective now is to run the table and make as strong a case for itself as it can while doing so.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
