This is an opinion column.

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The College Football Playoff committee has a Texas problem.

The Longhorns don’t have a signature victory on its schedule and the team doesn’t appear to be very good. Despite the reality of Texas being less than elite at college football this season, the Longhorns are listed at No.3 in the third set of playoff rankings.

There has been a lot of talk about Alabama being left out of the College Football Playoff if it were to lose in the SEC championship game, but what about Texas?

Should the Longhorns be gifted an also-ran playoff spot based on that big win against five-loss Michigan?

Simple question: Is Texas better than Georgia?

Answer: No.

And how do we know this?

Because Georgia went to Texas and demolished the Longhorns 30-15 despite UGA quarterback Carson Beck throwing three interceptions.

But never mind all forms of reason and accountability, Texas is ranked No.3 this week and Georgia is at No.10.

It makes no sense.

Don’t fall for the College Football Playoff committee’s attempt at gaslighting. Texas might not even be better than in-state rival SMU (ranked No.13).

First, before we attack the integrity of the College Football Playoff committee, let’s acknowledge the reality of its existence. The College Football Playoff wasn’t created in the name of fairness. The College Football Playoff is a business, and the point of any business is to make money.

It’s good for business to have Texas in the playoffs.

But let’s be real. Three-loss South Carolina looks better than the Longhorns.

Here are the current top 15 teams, according to the College Football Corruption committee:

1. Oregon (11-0)

2. Ohio State (9-1)

3. Texas (9-1)

4. Penn State (9-1)

5. Indiana (10-0)

6. Notre Dame (9-1)

7. Alabama (8-2)

8. Miami (8-2)

9. Ole Miss (8-2)

10. Georgia (8-2)

11. Tennessee (8-2)

12. Boise State (9-1)

13. SMU (9-1)

14. BYU (9-1)

15. Texas A&M (8-2)

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey already engineered a golden road to the conference championship game for the Longhorns. How many handouts and special favors does Texas deserve for simply being Texas?

At some point, shouldn’t the big brands of college football like Texas be expected to actually earn their spots into the postseason?

Well, maybe not.

Think Texas has it made? Notre Dame is ranked No.6 this week despite that early-season loss to Northern Illinois. Meanwhile, Alabama jumped from No.10 to No.7 based on a victory against Mercer.

I’m not saying Alabama doesn’t deserve to be in the College Football Playoff. A strong argument can be made that Alabama is college football’s most powerful team. But Alabama’s path is clear. If the Crimson Tide wins the SEC, then it’s getting a first-round bye in the CFP. If Alabama loses in the SEC championship game, then it probably should be left at home.

The same needs to be true for Texas.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame doesn’t even have to play in a conference championship game.

Notre Dame’s best victory this season is against Texas A&M. But aren’t the Aggies overrated at No.15?

People like to say that the College Football Playoff rankings don’t matter until the final week, but that’s not true. The week-to-week transparency of the committee has more long-term value than the final rankings when it comes to appreciating the absurd nature of college football’s postseason.

The system isn’t designed to be fair. The system is designed to engineer great matchups for ESPN. That’s why the CFP committee will try its best to send Alabama to Notre Dame for the first round of playoffs.

A predictable trend is emerging with the College Football Corruption committee. Like the players, it’s racing in the direction of the most cash.

These days, everyone is getting paid in college football. Well, almost everyone. By rule, the guys playing for the service academies cannot receive NIL deals. At Army and Navy, they still play for the love of the game.

That’s why Army has a chance this weekend to do the greatest thing in the history of college football. The Black Knights are currently undefeated (9-0) and ranked No.19 by the College Football Corruption committee. Army plays No.6 Notre Dame on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

If it’s chaos you’re rooting for, then Army is the team for you.

If you want college football to be exposed for its hypocrisy, then SMU is your gilded warrior.

One team swings the sword of justice for America. The other wields a dagger made of gold. Choose your champion and enjoy the show.

BE HEARD

Got a question for Joe? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe an email about what’s on your mind. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything.

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the book “We Want Bama: A Season of Hope and the Making of Nick Saban’s Ultimate Team.”