Bracketology 2024: Latest Bubble Watch of key teams in mid-February
By Joey Loose
Texas (16-8) (NET: 34)
4-6 (Q1), 1-1 (Q2), 4-1 (Q3), 7-0 (Q4)
Though they dropped their two Quad 1 chances in nonconference play, Texas has already claimed four such wins in Big 12 play, including road wins against Cincinnati, Oklahoma, and TCU. They also held on in a close battle with Baylor back in January, though those road wins in particular are quite notable.
The Quad 3 loss was a stunner at West Virginia early in league play. Four days later the Longhorns lost at home to UCF for the Quad 2 loss, cementing what was clearly their worst week of the season. All of their losses since have been to teams currently Top 10 in the NET as they’ve steadied this resume.
This weekend’s battle at Houston will be difficult but that’s par for the course in the Big 12. Texas can’t just lose their remaining tough games and expect to Dance, though after Houston they have trips to Kansas, Texas Tech, and Baylor. Can a team that’s already won three times away from home in league play pull off another shocker or two?
Texas A&M (15-9) (NET: 37)
5-4 (Q1), 3-3 (Q2), 2-2 (Q3), 5-0 (Q4)
Texas A&M got their season started off fantastically, with Quad 1 road wins at Ohio State and SMU early on. They’d later beat Iowa State at the ESPN Events Invitational, a win that has aged very nicely, before adding Quad 1 wins against Kentucky and Tennessee in SEC play. It’s honestly a very impressive slate of victories against a few highly ranked teams.
Unfortunately, some tough efforts in SEC play remain as anchors on this resume. A 15-point home loss to LSU was their first action in conference play back in January. To make matters worse, the Aggies were just upset at Vanderbilt on Tuesday night for another Quad 3 defeat. These are the kinds of games they absolutely should have won.
The Aggies shot themselves in the foot but there are chances to bounce back in the weeks ahead. It won’t be easy, as their last four Saturdays will all be road contests, including toughies at Alabama and Tennessee the next two weekends. Can the Aggies pull a shocker away from home to cement their status?