BYU and the Big 12 were disrespected.
The first College Football Playoff rankings were revealed Tuesday night and it was not a good look for the Big 12, especially for BYU.
The Cougars check in at No. 9, while Iowa State sits at No. 17, Kansas State at No. 19 and Colorado at No. 20.
Yes, it’s the highest-ever CFP ranking in BYU history, surpassing the No. 12 national ranking set in 2021 — but based on their current resume, the Cougars got hosed. The Cougars, who are undefeated with two Top 20 wins, entered the rankings at No. 9, while Indiana, which is also undefeated, is ranked No. 8. This is the same Hoosier team that does not have any ranked wins and has not even played a team that is bowl eligible either. BYU’s strength of schedule is in the 50s by most services, while Indiana’s is around 100.
Record vs. opponents with a winning record:
BYU (3-0)
Indiana (2-0)Record vs. bowl eligible opponents:
BYU (2-0)
Indiana (0-0)Record vs. current CFP Top 25:
BYU (2-0)
Indiana (0-0)— Cody Kellner (@cody_kellner) November 6, 2024
That tells you all you need to know about the playoff committee.
Unfortunately for Big 12, that means the league is looking at having only one representative, while the SEC and Big Ten currently have four spots each. Unless there’s a bunch more upsets in the Big Ten and SEC, the Big 12 and ACC are in a tough spot.
The only good news for BYU fans is that the Cougars — should they finish undefeated and win the Big 12 title, would earn a top-four seed and get a bye into the quarterfinals. The bad news is that Boise State is only 3 spots behind so any loss could jeopardize that as the Broncos would likely take the first-round bye.
The results generated a lot of talk about BYU and the Big 12, including ESPN analyst Greg McElroy who went on to blast the committee for not looking at BYU’s resume.
Here are all the reactions:
The biggest issue @GregMcElroy has with the first 12-team @CFBPlayoff rankings??@BYUfootball is TOO LOW…#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/1OdxhM5I8N
— Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) November 6, 2024
I always tell myself I won't get mad about in-season CFP rankings because they're not real. And then I always get mad.
JUSTICE FOR BYU!
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 6, 2024
Texas being ranked four spots ahead of BYU considering the Cougs' wins over SMU and Kansas State is surprising.
Both of those wins are better than any win Texas has.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 6, 2024
And somehow Indiana is ranked higher with a SOS in the 100s
— IDBYUCOUGAR (@IDAHOBYUCOUGAR) November 6, 2024
Agree with @GregMcElroy on BYU. Cougars should be getting way more credit for the SMU win and the K-State blowout. Those are better wins than Texas or Penn State has.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 6, 2024
@CFBPlayoff Instant Takeaways:
Major SEC and Big 10 bias (4 teams each)
Indiana and Penn State way too high.
BYU at No. 9 is a joke. Cougars are just one of 4 teams with two CURRENT ranked wins. More fuel for BYU being disrespected. pic.twitter.com/HvBfIQv5Ms
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) November 6, 2024
Four #Big12FB teams in the first college football playoff rankings of the season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uUT4DfdGAd
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 6, 2024
BYU is ranked behind THIS team in the college football playoff rankings?! https://t.co/b7bN6Ag3EW
— locked on big 12, america’s conference. (@LOBig12) November 6, 2024
Everybody is saying Indiana needs more respect. What about BYU, who has two good wins to Indiana’s zero.
There’s no world that Indiana should be above BYU. pic.twitter.com/kqU4exRsSg
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) November 6, 2024
I've been vocal about BYU maybe not being as strong as advertised BUT pretty cruel initial seeding from the CFP Committee at #9.
Only three teams have a better Strength of Record. Not a good sign for the Big 12. Low level of respect at the moment.— Ryan Wallace (@GPCwallace) November 6, 2024
Tonight’s rankings all but confirms a 2 loss Big 12 team is not getting into the CFP. And I wouldn’t be confident in a 1 loss team getting in without grabbing the auto bid
— Mitch 🌪️ (@MitchA4ISU) November 6, 2024
The CFP Rankings don't like the Big 12. Colorado at 20, Kansas State at 19, and Iowa State at 17th. Looks like they will be a one team league. BYU has to win the big 12 title game at this point.
— Philly Utah Sports (@PhillyUtahSport) November 6, 2024
Warde Manuel says on a media call that "it came down to the eye test" why undefeated Miami is No. 4 while undefeated BYU is No. 9.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 6, 2024
Dan Wetzel: "t’s just a publicity stunt and ratings grab. It holds no other value." https://t.co/S4E6T3Yjn6
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 6, 2024
The clear brand bias of CFP committee is striking…If you want to rank off eye test that is fine, but have a set and watch @IndianaFootball without bias…If you want to rank off resume then have a set and rank @BYUfootball higher than those that don't touch their ranked wins
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) November 6, 2024
BYU ranked No. 9 should motivate Cougar players who've been nicked all season and handled the chip-on-shoulder routine perfectly in 8 games so far. Feed it.
— Dick Harmon (@Harmonwrites) November 6, 2024
Have a feeling if Boise wins out and BYU isn't 13-0, the Broncos are going to be the four seed.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) November 6, 2024
Boise State ranked No. 12 in the first CFP rankings of the season.
The Broncos are ahead of numerous Big 12 teams – Iowa State, K-State and Colorado – meaning BYU is the only team the Broncos need to overcome (and win out) for a top-four seed.
— Shaun Goodwin (@ShaunBroncoBeat) November 6, 2024
Lacking a good quality loss, but Iowa State will happily provide them with one in Arlington
— Cyclone Larry (@CycloneLarry69) November 6, 2024
Team 1
– 9-0
– SOS 54
– top 25 wins: 1
Team 2
– 8-0
– SOS 41
– top 25 wins: 2
**
Team 1: No. 4 Miami
Team 2: No. 9 BYU
——————————-
Team 1
– 7-1
– SOS 49
– top 25 wins: 0
Team 2
– 8-1
– SOS 60
– top 25 wins: 2
**
Team 1: No. 5 Texas
Team 2: No. 13 SMU— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 6, 2024
FINALLY THERE IS PARITY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL BUT WE ARE STILL RANKING TEAMS BASED ON THEIR HISTORY
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 6, 2024
The big 12 hate is ridiculous. The committee just wants a b10 and sec party. Even SMU gets no credit, which is giving BYU no credit
— Andrew 🌵 (@Amata981) November 6, 2024
Rece Davis hinted at it early in the show, but the committee's top 12 is the exact same as the AP's 12 save for swapping Ohio St/UGA at 2-3.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 6, 2024
Holy War looms large.
— Branden Durst, MPA, EdS (@brandendurst) November 6, 2024
What really sucks is there’s no margin for error.
BYU has a much harder finish than Boise and is at risk to get jumped for any slip ups.
“Just win” is a pretty arrogant thing to say when winning all your games can get you ranked anywhere from 1-25.— Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) November 6, 2024
I loved how McElroy was upset because BYU is underrated in his opinion.
— Matthew L. (@ProdigalSonMatt) November 6, 2024
"Just go undefeated" says the fans of all the 7-1 teams ranked comfortably in the top 10.
— Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) November 6, 2024
“The committee values the eye test”
Blow everyone out when given the opportunity.
— Hayden (@oldmaxhall) November 6, 2024
Perhaps Indiana probably wouldn't have the margin of victory it has if it had to play two top 20 teams like BYU did and won.
No. 9 is fine. Would have liked 7 or 8.
Win and continue to climb.
The at-large possibilities should BYU not win the Big 12 title now begin in earnest.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) November 6, 2024
The CFP Committee said that they had Indiana higher than BYU because they were winning by larger margins.
Well, that can happen when you play a weaker schedule. SOS for BYU, 61. SOS for Indiana, 103.
— Jason Shepherd (@jsnshep) November 6, 2024
all this byu disrespect in the cfb playoff polls is only gonna make them win the whole damn thing
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) November 6, 2024
What the hell has Miami done to be ranked 5 spots ahead of BYU
— Cyclone Larry (@CycloneLarry69) November 6, 2024
