COLLEGE STATION, texas (AP) – No. 16 Texas extinguished No. 3 Texas A&M‘s undefeated season with a 27-17 victory on Saturday, simultaneously dashing the Aggies‘ hopes for an SEC Championship Game berth. The longhorns’ second-half surge spoiled a previously perfect campaign for Texas A&M and injected uncertainty into the College Football Playoff picture.
The loss eliminates Texas A&M from contention for the SEC title and casts doubt on their College Football Playoff aspirations. Texas, meanwhile, bolstered its bowl game prospects with a dominant performance fueled by a resurgent running game. The Aggies now await the final CFP rankings on Dec. 7, while Texas eyes its bowl destination, also factoring in the CFP rankings.
Texas took control in the second half, spearheaded by a rushing attack that had struggled for much of the season. Quintrevion Wisner led the charge with a season-high 155 yards, adding to his extraordinary 186-yard performance against the Aggies last year.
Texas A&M quarterback Max Reed briefly left the game in the first quarter after rolling his left ankle during a scramble. He returned after missing only one offensive play, but the Aggies’ ensuing drive stalled, culminating in a blocked field goal attempt by Texas’ Ethan Burke.
“Their front played a lot harder than ours,” Reed said. “They just had a better game plan in the second half for us.”
The Aggies had previously held a lead, but three consecutive punts in the decisive third quarter allowed Texas to seize momentum.
