What a Texas win over Alabama would mean for Big 12’s CFP chances

By RJ Young
FOX Sports College Football Writer

In preparation for convention Media Days all through July, I posed 5 questions I would like answered within the newest episode of “The No. 1 Ranked Show.” One of these questions has to do with simply what the Big 12 has to achieve — and never — from Texas taking part in a non-conference recreation in opposition to SEC energy Alabama.

Does Texas should beat Alabama (Sept. 10, Big Noon on FOX) for the Big 12 to be taken significantly by the CFP choice committee in 2022?

It could not harm.

RJ Young’s 5 questions for convention Media Days

FOX Sports’ RJ Young shares the questions he needs answered when he visits coaches and gamers at convention Media Days within the coming weeks. To begin, RJ needs to know if the Big 12 is again.

You can watch the “The No. 1 Ranked Show with RJ Young” on YouTube or subscribe on podcast platforms, together with Apple Podcasts.

The reality is the choice committee confirmed what it thinks of the Big 12 and its chances within the CFP final yr. In years previous, the Oklahoma Sooners have been the fourth group in as a result of, frankly, there hasn’t been a higher different for the choice committee to decide on.

The Sooners had benefited from being undefeated within the month of November since 2014 and would trip that momentum to a Big 12 title and invitation to the semifinals. When Baylor blew that up final yr, ending Oklahoma’s 23-game November profitable streak, and Oklahoma State buried the Sooners two weeks later, that left solely the winner of the Big 12 Championship — BU vs. OSU — with the prospect of representing the convention within the CFP.

Despite an excellent recreation that the Bears gained, and OSU fell six inches in need of profitable, the choice committee opted to place a non-conference champion (Georgia) into the CFP. That choice was vindicated when Georgia gained the nationwide title in opposition to Alabama, the group it had misplaced to within the SEC Championship Game.

Now, the choice committee has all of the ammo essential to disregard the Big 12 — prefer it has the Pac-12 — in a four-team playoff format. The solely approach it appears the Big 12 will discover its approach into CFP this yr is that if considered one of its applications runs the desk.

If Texas manages to beat Alabama, the energy of schedule for each Big 12 group would get a lot higher. If — if — a type of groups manages to go undefeated, it would be a good information level to have. But I consider, cynically I’ll admit, a win for the Longhorns would possibly simply be touted as a gap salvo for its first season of SEC soccer in 2025.

Let’s focus in on Sept 10, when Nick Saban takes his Crimson Tide to the Forty Acres for a Big Noon showdown.

Does Texas have a likelihood in that recreation?

Yes, the Longhorns have a likelihood. They’ve added the nation’s No. 1 recruit for the 2022 class in quarterback Quinn Ewers, essentially the most underrated tight finish prospect within the sport in Jahleel Billingsley and former Group of 5 dynamo in Wyoming switch huge receiver Isaiah Neyor. The Longhorns additionally return their greatest likelihood at a Heisman Trophy winner since Vince Young in operating again Bijan Robinson.

The challenge for Texas, although, isn’t on its offense however on what should be a remarkably improved protection if it will fight reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young and the Bama offense. Even so, Texas in all probability wants to show this matchup into a shootout and hope to have the ball on the finish with a likelihood to win it.

Is Quinn Ewers the starter?

I’d be shocked if he’s not. Yes, the Longhorns nonetheless have Hudson Card on campus — Card beat out former Longhorns QB Casey Thompson to open the 2021 season — and maybe the toolsiest quarterback within the nation in Maalik Murphy.

But Ewers didn’t switch from Ohio State after one yr to the place many consider he ought to’ve began his faculty profession to sit down the bench. And Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t recruit him out of the switch portal to pad the Longhorns’ roster.

Ewers is at Texas to do what solely Vince Young has on this century: Lead the Longhorns to a nationwide championship. If Texas brings Ewers to Big 12 Media Days — which I extremely doubt — Sarkisian would depart little question about who’ll begin behind middle in opposition to Louisiana-Monroe in Week 1.

Is Arch Manning’s dedication the start of Texas is Back?

RJ Young breaks down why Arch Manning’s dedication to the Longhorns can have a vital affect on the remainder of their recruiting class and why Texas might be prepared for the SEC in 2025.

Will the result of Alabama-Texas be a telltale recreation for Arch Manning’s dedication to Texas?

No, it’s not.

While I consider Texas stands a first rate likelihood to upset Alabama, I’m additionally keen to confess I’m within the minority with that opinion outdoors of Austin, and even some Texas followers don’t consider their Longhorns stand a likelihood of holding up longer than a snowball in hell.

However, this recreation will function a benchmark for the Longhorns not simply for this season however for their subsequent three. Manning, the highest 2023 recruit within the nation who dedicated to Texas final week, will both be a redshirt sophomore or junior when the Longhorns play their first season within the SEC.

A win in opposition to Alabama in 2022 places them forward of schedule, particularly following a 5-7 season with a loss to Kansas in 2021. But I don’t assume Manning will break his dedication over a loss and even a dangerous loss to Alabama.

RJ Young is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The No. 1 Ranked Show with RJ Young.” Follow him on Twitter at @RJ_Young, and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube. He shouldn’t be on a StepMill.