Arch Manning’s No. 16 Texas Longhorns claimed a 27-17 victory over the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies on Friday. Manning’s squad successfully handed A&M its first defeat of the season and knocked them to 11-1.
With Texas taking down the previously unbeaten Aggies, renewed debate has surfaced about the Longhorns’ playoff chances, as many believe their three losses will keep them out. However, former football star Emmanuel Acho is among those arguing Texas deserves consideration.
“Three loss Texas might need to be considered for the college football playoffs,” Acho said. “Name another team that’s beaten three teams in the top 10. See that’s Texas. They beat Vanderbilt, number nine. They beat Oklahoma, number six. They beat A&M, number three. Find another team that’s beat three top 10 teams and even more impressive than any of Texas wins.”
With 3 wins vs. top 10 teams, Texas should be in the playoffs!
Don’t punish @TexasFootball for having the courage to play Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/6WW7CNEXVe
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 29, 2025
Texas was the preseason No. 1 team but witnessed a 14-7 loss to Ohio State in the season-opening game. But even in the defeat, the Longhorns kept that game close. Their losses to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia remain hurdles, with the 29-21 defeat to the Gators viewed as the biggest blemish.
However, Acho offered a different perspective in Texas’ favor.
“You telling me for real is 12 better teams in Texas,” Acho said. “I understand they had a bad Georgia loss. And after that Georgia loss, I even fixed my lips to say come on, Texas. That wasn’t good enough to be considered for the playoff. But after beating A&M, oh, things change.”
For Texas to sneak into the playoff, several teams ranked ahead of them would need to falter in their final games this weekend.
Arch Manning Firm On Longhorns’ Playoff Worthiness
Friday’s win marked a strong turning point in Arch Manning’s season. Many who previously criticized Manning and the Longhorns for their early struggles have suddenly fallen silent after the team’s surge in performance.
After the victory, Manning expressed firm belief in Texas’ capability to compete on the playoffs.
“If you let us in, we can beat anyone,” Manning said. “If you don’t think we’re one of the best 12 teams in the country, I don’t know what to tell you.”
The Longhorns offense stepped up significantly in the second half, overpowering the Aggies and handing them their first loss of the season. The defeat dropped the Aggies to an 11-1 record. It’s obviously a disappointing moment for a squad that had been undefeated until now.
Meanwhile, Texas improved to 9-3 overall. The win also keeps their hopes alive for a strong postseason finish.
Manning once again demonstrated why he is highly regarded as the next standout from his iconic football family. He completed 14 of 29 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 53 rushing yards.
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