BYU seeks playoff spot in high-stakes Big 12 Championship

BYU-Idaho Radio · BYU fights for playoff respect in Big 12 title clash

The College Football Playoff Committee has left BYU out of the playoffs in the most recent CFP projection, but that could all change this weekend when the BYU Cougars take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Championship game this weekend.

BYU has put together an amazing year, ending the regular season with an 11-1 record and finishing just behind Texas Tech in the Big 12. BYU's only loss this year comes from Texas Tech.

The latest rankings put BYU at the number 11 seed, making them the first team out of the playoff.

But what's really confusing cougar nation is the fact that there are 3 teams with more than one loss ahead of BYU, taking their spot in the 12-team bracket.

The team making the most noise is number 10 Notre Dame - and here's why. BYU has them beat in nearly every statistical category. The Cougs have a better overall record, a higher strength of record, a higher strength of schedule, more wins over current top 25 teams, a better record against teams with a winning record and are playing in a conference championship.

Several notable college football figures, such as Dave Portnoy, Robert Griffin III and Barstool Studios, are speaking out against what they call an "unjust ranking," and BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake, who has been soft spoken about the rankings, shares the same sentiment.

"I said I wasn't going to campaign and all that, but the season's done now and we're going into a championship game and I'm just going to be honest: it's a little disrespectful," Sitake said. "If your job is to honestly compare it, then don't leave us out of the conversation."

"There is no debate," said Dave Portnoy with Fox Sports' "Big Noon Kickoff" show. "By every single metric known to mankind, BYU should be ranked ahead of Notre Dame. It shouldn't matter if BYU wins or loses the Big 12 Championship. Saying they can play their way in is irrelevant. They're getting held to a different standard than every time in the history of this thing."

Former NFL quarterback and college football analyst Robert Griffin III said, "BYU has earned its spot in the College Football Playoff for a number of reasons. One: they have an 11-1 record, and they made it to their conference championship game with one loss. Any team in the power four that makes it to their conference championship with one loss should be in the college football playoff regardless of the result."

The playoff consists of 12 teams: the top 10 in the nation and the two highest ranked conference champions.

In the most recent playoff projection, Texas Tech sits with a first round bye in the No. 4 spot. No matter the outcome of Saturday's game, Texas Tech is basically a shoo-in for the playoff as one of the best teams in the country, according to Sitake.

"I think they're the best team in the country," Sitake said. "So, when you look at it that way, we've got our work cut out for us and we're looking forward to the matchup."

The Big 12 Championship game in Arlington, Texas may be BYU's only ticket to the College Football Playoff.

BYU vs. Texas Tech in a rematch you won't want to miss. You can watch the game at The Crossroads in the Manwaring Center at BYU-Idaho. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. this Saturday.

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