Texas A&M Aggies get shocking attention from rival SEC head coach concerning College Football Playoff rankings

Aggies might be getting credit they deserve, but Lane Kiffin thinks they should be ranked number one in the nation

Travis May — College Football Managing Editor
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The Texas A&M Aggies are putting together a season for the ages. It’s official. They can no longer mathematically finish the regular season 8-4 as Mike Elko is trying to put the recent mediocre past behind the Aggies for good. Still, even with the Aggies undefeated, the AP Poll, the College Football Playoff committee, and college football experts around the sport continue to underrate this team.

Surprisingly enough, the one most outspoken voice that believes the Aggies should not only be ranked higher than Indiana, but also perhaps Ohio State as well, has been a rival SEC head coach. Yes, Lane Kiffin, head coach of Ole Miss was quoted this week saying that he believes the Aggies should rank first based on the meaningful metrics. Is he actually right?

Why should Texas A&M be the top ranked playoff seed?

  • The Texas A&M Aggies rank top five in team net success rate, net EPA per play, and havoc rate differential among all power conference teams this season
  • Texas A&M still has the best third down defense among all FBS teams, allowing a conversion on just 24% of their opponent’s third downs
  • Texas A&M ranks second in the nation in defensive yards per drop back allowed behind only Ohio State
  • Quarterback Marcel Reed is the only quarterback in the country averaging more than eight yards per play with over 2100 passing yards and 350 rushing yards on the season so far

Lane Kiffin believes Texas A&M Aggies should be ranked number one

Lane Kiffin has never been one to shy away from saying what he believes, especially if it also might just help his team too. It might not be consensus, but Kiffin shared his thoughts on the committee’s rankings when asked this week, stating confidently that the Texas A&M Aggies should be ranked number one. And it wasn’t just based on his opinion either. He pointed to the metrics, which might actually agree with him:

“Texas A&M being No. 3. What more do you want them to do to be one? People want to schedule and say, ‘Okay we need you to schedule hard teams. Nine SEC. Then play another hard one.’ They went up to Notre Dame and won…What if they didn’t play Notre Dame? They just played whoever and just had an easy win. They’d be ranked in the same spot. What good did that do if that’s not rewarded? They’ve got the highest metrics of everybody and they’re not No. 1…Put them on a neutral site and ask Vegas, ‘What’s the spread?’, and that to me shows more than people sitting around a room just guessing.”

First off, would Vegas favor Texas A&M over the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers – the two teams everyone keeps ranking ahead of the Aggies? Based on a number of sports book generated implied ratings and spreads the answer would be no, but it’s very close. Kiffin always loves the idea of letting Vegas decide, but he’d be wrong there.

However, when it comes to the meaningful metrics that the College Football Playoff committee is supposed to be considering? Texas A&M absolutely ranks highly almost everywhere, in some cases ahead of both Ohio State and Indiana.

Texas A&M still has a far superior strength of schedule compared to Indiana. They also still hold the number one ranked strength of record (probability of a top 25 team reaching their win-loss record). On top of that, when it comes to on-field results, the Aggies rank extremely high across the board.

They have the number one third down defense in the country (24% conversion rate allowed). They’re top five in net success rate (comparing offensive vs. defensive success rates generated and allowed). Top five in net EPA per play (expected points added on both offense and defense, adjusting for situation and opponent). Top five in havoc generation and differential as they continue to rack up sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles while minimizing those plays on offense. You name a meaningful metric. Texas A&M ranks highly in it, across the board.

The College Football Playoff committee isn’t likely going to budge off of sticking with the defending national champions as their top team, but it’s good to see at least someone is paying attention to how dominant Texas A&M has been, even if it is an SEC rival head coach like Lane Kiffin.

We’ll be back with more Texas A&M Aggies coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

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