Texas A&M fans had to wonder whether they had a slim chance to move up this week.

The news came shortly before the latest College Football Playoff rankings were announced Tuesday that Michigan canceled its game with Ohio State scheduled for Saturday. That called into question whether the Buckeyes (5-0) would be able to find another opponent this week or be eligible to compete in the Dec. 19 Big Ten Championship. The B1G set a 6-game minimum but said last week it might revisit that decision. Most expect that to happen.

Had A&M done enough in the committee’s eyes to leapfrog them for the No. 4 spot?

Not quite, apparently.

The Aggies stayed at No. 5, the same place they have been in since the rankings debuted 3 weeks ago. It still appears the only way they’re going to move up is with a loss from someone else.

A&M also had its game against Ole Miss canceled this week. That prompted many fans to wishfully suggest they should meet Ohio State in a de facto play-in game for the final spot.

Although that would be one of the most entertaining games this season, the Buckeyes stand nothing to gain from it and it likely won’t happen. If trends hold up, the committee will give Ohio State a spot at the end of the year.

There has been a lot of discussion about the Aggies needing to earn convincing wins to prove themselves Playoff-worthy. They’ll get one more chance when they face Tennessee on Dec. 19, the same week as the SEC Championship Game.

That said, they’ll be far more dependent on the results of the conference championships than their own game.

Not only do they need Alabama to beat Florida, but they also need Notre Dame to take care of Clemson in the ACC Championship. Only then do they stand any realistic chance of making it.

Even so, what does A&M have left to prove at this point?

All the Aggies have done is win 6 in a row. That includes a win against No. 6 Florida, a 48-3 drubbing against South Carolina and a bounce-back performance from the offense against Auburn last week. They haven’t shown much weakness aside from against LSU in their first week back from quarantine.

You either believe in the Aggies or you don’t, and whatever they do to Tennessee isn’t going to change that. That said, it is an added benefit they get to play on Championship Week and stay in the minds of fans and the committee alike.

I’ve watched enough A&M football this season to say I think they’re a Playoff caliber team.

The numbers say they have the SEC’s top defense. Their ability to get to their quarterback has been superb, and they have 21 sacks on the season. Kellen Mond isn’t a superstar, but he has been a reliable and efficient quarterback this season. A stout offensive line and run game allow A&M to bully its way into controlling the pace of most games (313 yards rushing against Auburn last week).

The Aggies are balanced and solid everywhere, and exceptional in few areas. That and not playing in the SEC Championship might ultimately be what ends up keeping them out of the Playoff.

If Clemson wins, perhaps an argument can still be made for the Aggies over Ohio State.

There has been a lot of discussion about quality of opponents, as the Buckeyes rank No. 72 in strength of schedule to No. 6 for A&M. The Aggies’ best victory against Florida looks better on paper than Ohio State’s defeat of Indiana.

The cancellation of the Michigan game should be a minor factor. To punish the Buckeyes for something out of their control seems unfair. This has been a weird season, and the always controversial selection process will be even messier this time around.

Whether A&M gets in or not, fans have to be pleased with the way this season has turned out.

What looked like another disappointing season in the making after Week 2 quickly turned around and has been nothing but great since. Jimbo Fisher has proven to be a good fit thus far, and the years to come should be equally as enjoyable.

This is an enviable position for any program, and one A&M would have dreamed of being in only a year ago. Now they’re here and, if a couple of games go their way, they’ll be one of four schools with a shot at a national championship.