ESPN insider claims Texas college football playoff qualification hinges on Michigan game result

The AP Poll No. 4 ranked Texas Longhorns will travel to Ann Arbor to take on the No. 10 ranked Michigan Wolverines at 'The Big House' in what promises to be a titanic clash. Both teams reached the college football playoffs last season with then-Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh guiding his team to the national championship.

Although college football will incorporate an expanded 12-team playoff this season, the clash between the Wolverines and the Longhorns could still have major implications.

During an episode of Get Up, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky claimed that the only way for Texas to guarantee its college football qualification was to win the game.

“If Texas wants to make the College Football Playoff — even at 12 teams — they gotta win this game. Because if you go to the middle of October, they’re going to play in back-to-back weeks Oklahoma and Georgia. So if you’re going to Michigan and you want to give yourself just a little padding when it comes to that two-game stretch, that’s going to be paramount to go win this football game. And you end the season on the road against Texas A&M, who we saw is going to be a very capable team.”

Texas coach excited to visit Michigan's 'Big House'

Coach Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns are 6.5 point favorites for the clash against coach Sherrone Moore's Michigan Wolverines. This is after the reigning national champions scrapped to a 30-10 Week 1 win against the Fresno State Bulldogs while the latter bulldozed the Colorado State Rams 52-0.

During his weekly news conference, Sarkisian expressed his excitement at playing in the Big House for the first time in his career, whether as a player or as a coach.

“I’m super pumped, and, I say this maybe for reporters or people watching that don’t know me, I love college football,” said Sarkisian. “Even as a kid, watching Michigan play, them taking the field, and all jumping up, and hitting the 'Go Blue' sign, I love that.

“There’s all these little things along college football with different teams, different stadiums that are the pageantry of the game. The Big House is one of those things. The Michigan helmets, them taking the field is one of those things.”

The Longhorns versus Wolverines clash is the season's first real heavyweights clash. To show its status, ESPN's beloved pregame show, College GameDay, and FOX's Big Noon Kickoff, both will air from Ann Arbor for the marquee game.