Based on the College Football Playoff rankings, BYU and the Big 12 have a lot of work to do, and will need plenty of help if the conference wants two teams in the playoff.
The Big 12 got a lot of disrespect in the inaugural playoff rankings from the playoff committee with BYU ranked No. 9, Iowa State at No. 17, and Kansas State and Colorado right behind at No. 19 and No. 20.
It’s obvious the committee has a lot of bias for the Big Ten and SEC conferences which currently have 4 teams each. A loss from Oregon, Ohio State and Georgia won’t do much to change anything as they’ll still be in the playoff, so the most important thing for BYU and the Big 12 is for teams in the 4-16 spots to lose. This would not only help BYU move up and give the Cougars more breathing room and some margin for error, but it would also allow the Cyclones, Wildcats, and Buffs to move up as well — potentially giving the Big 12 two playoff spots if BYU were to lose in the Big 12 title game against one of those teams.
Again, that would be a perfect world for the Big 12 to give the conference more opportunities to make some noise in the playoffs with two teams, but unfortunately, the SEC and Big Ten control all the power at the moment.
So make sure to cheer AGAINST the following teams: Miami, Texas, Penn State, Tennessee, Indiana, Notre Dame, Alabama, Boise State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Pittsburgh.
And be sure to cheer FOR the following teams: SMU, Iowa State, Kansas State, Colorado, Arizona State, and Iowa. Yes, I know cheering for Iowa is tough Cyclone fans, but it will make your win look better and will strengthen the Big 12 as well.
The only way the Big 12 is getting two teams into the playoff is if BYU, Iowa State, Colorado or Kansas State run the table and meet in the Big 12 title game. A close game in which Iowa State, Colorado, or Kansas State wins would likely be enough for the Big 12 to get two teams in the playoff. But that’s the only way at the moment.
If the Big 12 wants to change the narrative that was created that it’s a softer conference with the departures of the ‘blue bloods’ in Texas and Oklahoma, it’s going to need a strong showing in the playoffs. And with more teams making the playoffs, the more noise the Big 12 conference can make.
BYU aims to end 18-year drought against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium
Rooting Guide: Week 11 College Football Games
No. 2 Ohio State vs. Purdue — Buckeyes should win easily. Don’t expect an upset, but cheer anyway.
No. 4 Miami @ Georgia Tech — This is the best team the Hurricanes will face until the ACC Championship game. Pray for Georgia Tech.
Florida @ No. 5 Texas — The Longhorns are 20+ point favorites at home. An upset would be nice but don’t count on it. Having said that, Texas still has to play at Arkansas and at Texas A&M later this season. So don’t be surprised if Texas gets another loss. This would help BYU and the Big 12 tremendously.
No. 3 Georgia @ No. 16 Ole Miss — Even if Georgia loses another game they’ll still likely be ahead of BYU. So cheer for the Bulldogs so that BYU has more breathing room and it will allow Big 12 teams (Iowa State, Kansas State and Colorado) to move up since Ole Miss is at No. 16.
Michigan @ No. 8 Indiana — The Hoosiers are two-touchdown favorites at home. The only tough game will be against Ohio State. If Indiana can lose twice, that would open the door for another Big 12 team to slide in for a playoff spot. It would also give BYU more breathing room in case the Cougars lose in the Big 12 title game — assuming they run the table and make it.
No. 17 Iowa State vs. Kansas — BYU and Big 12 fans need to cheer for the Big 12’s top teams so the conference can get rid of the narrative that the Big 12 doesn’t have any top teams. Cheer for the Cyclones.
No. 20 Colorado @ Texas Tech — Once again, BYU and Big 12 fans need to cheer for the top teams in the conference. Texas Tech doesn’t have a shot at the CFP, but the Buffs certainly do, especially with Travis Hunter — one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Colorado has a very manageable schedule and should win out if they beat the Red Raiders. This would put them right in the CFP race.
Mississippi State @ No. 7 Tennessee — The Vols are 24-point favorites so don’t expect an upset, but it would be great if the Bulldogs did.
Florida State @ No. 10 Notre Dame — The Fighting Irish are 27-point favorites so don’t expect an upset, but we can hope that Notre Dame pulls another Northern Illinois.
No. 11 Alabama @ No. 15 LSU — The Tigers have a tougher schedule and will likely slip up and lose one more time. Meanwhile, Alabama has an easier schedule and this will be the toughest game. Cheer for LSU!
Washington @ No. 6 Penn State — The Nittany Lions are two touchdown favorites so don’t expect an upset in this one. But it would help the Big 12 if they find a way to lose. Cross your fingers as Penn State doesn’t have a tough game the rest of the season.
Virginia @ No. 18 Pittsburgh — The Panthers are favored by more than a touchdown, but the good news is that Pittsburgh still has to play both No. 23 Clemson and No 22 Louisville the next two weeks. I suspect between these three games, the Panthers will lose one of them which will clear the way for Big 12 teams to move up and it will lessen the strength of the ACC as more teams fall out of the Top 25.
Oklahoma @ No. 24 Missouri — The fewer teams the SEC and Big Ten have in the Top 25, the better. So cheer for former Big 12 member Oklahoma as the Sooners are just 5-4 on the year and have no shot at the playoff.
BYU aims to end 18-year drought against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium
