Despite leading the Big 12 as one of the nation’s last remaining undefeated teams, ESPN’s Heather Dinich listed the BYU Cougars below several one-loss teams on her CFP rankings list.
Dinich believes that undefeated BYU should be the nation’s sixth-ranked team in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee.
The five teams ahead of BYU on Dinich’s list are Oregon (9-0), Ohio State (7-1), Georgia (7-1), Miami (9-0), Texas (7-1). Dinich breaks down three different aspects of her list for each team, including categories of why they are there, how they could be lower, and need-to-know info on the team.
Justifying Placement
“BYU came off its bye ranked No. 3 in the country in ESPN’s Strength of Record metric, which gives the average playoff contender a 17% chance to achieve the same undefeated record against the same opponents,” Dinich said. “Wins against SMU and Kansas State help separate the Cougars from other contenders, along with four road wins — albeit against some struggling teams like UCF. They’re also ranked in the top 21 in both offensive and defensive efficiencies.”
Why They Could Be Lower
“BYU hasn’t played an opponent the caliber of Ohio State, which handed the Nittany Lions their first loss,” Dinich continued. “The committee will also point out BYU’s win against FCS Southern Illinois and a 1-7 Wyoming team.”
Need to Know
“Arizona State is the only remaining opponent above .500 BYU will face during the regular season,” wrote Dinich. “How high the committee ranks BYU on Tuesday will give a little bit of insight as to how secure BYU’s place in the playoff is if it loses a game and doesn’t win the conference. If the Cougars finish as a one-loss Big 12 runner-up, will their schedule stack up with other contenders?”
While SEC and Big Ten purists may question BYU’s status as an elite team in the hunt for a National Championship, the Cougars continue to outperform expectations this fall. With four games left against opponents of Utah, Kansas, Arizona State, and Houston, BYU is in the driver’s seat to a Big 12 Championship berth and a potential College Football Playoff trip.
