Longhorns Daily News: Kirk Herbstreit worries CFP committee will force Texas, others to schedule ‘cupcakes’

Another year, another College Football Playoff controversy.

This time, the debate is over whether Texas should be included in the top-12 seeds, or not.

As it stands, the nots have won out since Texas was ranked No. 13 this week.

Will that change next week? It seems unlikely.

Also unlikely, the chance that Power Four programs schedule top-tier early season matchups in the near future, since the committee has proven their tendency to value wins and losses over near losses to top programs.

“Get ready to see this happen all over the sport,” ESPN college football analyst and Gameday co-host Kirk Herbstreit said via social media earlier this week. “If it’s only about how many wins ya have and not who you’re playing and where you’re playing, you’re gonna see every AD make these same moves.”

Herbstreit added, “Kiss meaningful non-conference games in late August and early September goodbye. Cupcakes moving forward till teams get to conference play.”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Following big week in Las Vegas, Texas women climb in AP, coaches polls

Austin American-Statesman: Can Texas basketball continue hot shooting in home game vs Virginia?

247Sports: Steve Sarkisian says Texas will play games against Ohio State and Michigan despite unclear CFP criteria

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

Texas GM Brandon Harris teases recruiting surprises

CFP committee decisions put home-and-home series between Texas and Notre Dame in jeopardy

How to follow Texas recruiting news on Early Signing Day

Texas is in pursuit of five-star Ohio State WR commit Chris Henry Jr.

Four-star DT Corey Wells flips from Texas to Auburn

Five-star EDGE Richard Wesley signs with Texas

Five-star LB Tyler Atkinson signs with Texas

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

Dallas Morning News: Texas football 2026 recruiting hub: Longhorns look to keep pace with SEC’s best

247Sports: Signing day storylines to look back on in 3-5 years

Inside Texas: Texas, Steve Sarkisian continue trend of adding elite quarterbacks in Austin

SEC SHOWDOWN

Austin American-Statesman: Golden: Here’s how the College Football Playoff bracket should look

Inside Texas: How 2026 SEC conference recruiting fared and the elite recruiting loser phenomenon

Good Bull Hunting: Aggie football inks 28 recruits on National Signing Day

Rock M Nation: Grading the 2025 Mizzou season

Red Cup Rebellion: Signing Day 25: Here’s the next class of Ole Miss football signees

Rocky Top Talk: Tennessee football 2026 National Signing Day tracker

Roll ‘Bama Roll: 2025 SEC Championship Preview: The Georgia offense

Dawg Sports: Georgia lands four star OL Tyreek Jemison

A Sea Of Blue: Will Stein says there are no more excuses for Kentucky Football: ‘The goal is to win now’

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: WNBA players ‘don’t feel valued’ by current contract talks, and they seem to have a point

SB Nation: Chris Paul’s release by Clippers, explained after clash with organization

SB Nation: Chris Paul’s release by Clippers, explained after clash with organization

NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND

As smooth as ever.