Cougars Officially Out of CFP Championship Race
After losing to Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship game, BYU has officially been eliminated from the College Football Playoff (CFP) contention. The Cougars dropped to No. 12 in the final CFP rankings, marking them as the second team out of the playoff bracket.
CFP Rankings Overview
Despite being ranked above Tulane and James Madison (JMU), the Cougars found themselves sidelined. Both Tulane and JMU were named the fourth- and fifth-highest ranked conference champions, which impacted BYU’s playoff chances.
Teams Ahead of BYU
- Oklahoma
- Miami
- Alabama
Two teams with two losses that did not compete in their respective conference finals—Oklahoma and Miami—ranked ahead of BYU. Furthermore, Alabama, despite their SEC title game loss and a 10-3 record, secured a playoff spot over the Cougars.
Impact of the Championship Game
A victory against Texas Tech would have granted BYU an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff. The defeat ultimately sealed their fate in the 12-team tournament field.
Former BYU Players in the Playoff
Interestingly, two former BYU players who transferred earlier this year will be competing in the postseason. They are:
- Jake Retzlaff – Tulane quarterback
- Keelan Marion – Miami wide receiver
Looking Ahead
BYU is now awaiting the announcement of their bowl game destination. This information will be revealed on Sunday afternoon.
