I get it, BYU hasn’t played a marquee game this year. In fact, the majority of opponents the Cougars have faced have caused many to scoff, turning their TVs off midway the second half because BYU’s mounted a five-score lead.
But BYU had very little control over who it could play. It did, however, have full control on how they played. And, because of that, the initial College Football Playoff selection committee should have had BYU higher up in its initial rankings.
Instead, the No. 14 ranking felt like a slap to the face.
Personally, I’d place the Cougars within the Top 10. BYU has passed every eye test, avoided getting trapped by weaker teams (remember how UTSA gave the Cougars a little bit of trouble), have still shown grit (like when they overcame a 26-14 deficit in the second half to beat Houston) and have remained undefeated while also providing Top 10 offensive and defensive performances.
With the way BYU was ranked, it will likely miss out on playing a NY6 bowl if things stand as they are.
And I’m not the only one that believes the Cougars got the short end of the stick. Here’s some thoughts from national college football analysts:
“I understand BYU’s schedule is dreadful, but two-loss Georgia’s wins came against opponents that are a combined 15-22. Auburn only team w/ winning record they beat.” — Heather Dinich
“BYU being all the way down at no. 14... I just don’t understand it.” — Kirk Herbstreit
“BYU biggest loser in inaugural @CFBPlayoff rankings. At No. 14, doubtful BYU could climb high enough to earn New Year’s 6 at-large bid” — Brett McMurphy
“Firmly believe the committee was looking for reasons to rank BYU low... instead of looking at the positives they’ve shown to determine their ranking. They aren’t a playoff team in my mind, just not 14... most mis-ranked team in these rankings.” — Dari Nowkhah
More thoughts
• After the success Mark Pope had in his first year, many wondered if he’d get poached by another program. Well, that won’t be happening — at least not any time soon. On Tuesday, BYU announced Pope signed a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. But what stood out most for me was that Pope rejected a pay increase due to the financial hardships the athletic department is now facing because of COVID-19. He’s a stand-up guy.
• Because I’ve had many readers reach out and even email me asking for an update, I am COVID negative, but still have the occasional lingering symptom. However, as some of you may have seen on my personal Twitter, my grandmother passed away on Friday. COVID prevented me from seeing her one last time (I had a flight scheduled, but then tested positive) and from going home for the memorial services. It’s also filled up and backtracked funeral homes with COVID-related deaths, which means we won’t be able to lay her to rest for a month. Please keep in mind that we’re still in a pandemic and, even if it hasn’t affected you personally, please stay home for a safe Thanksgiving.
Other voices
• Mountain WestWire reports that BYU and San Diego State may choose to move up their Dec. 12 game by a weekend due to an opening in the Aztecs’ schedule.
• Utah Valley’s men’s basketball season opener was canceled due to COVID-19, wrote KSL’s Sean Walker. Could the BYU game be next?
• Darnell Dickson, of the Daily Herald, featured the BYU Marching Band and how it made the most of limited opportunities to play.
Normita’s Spanish Lesson of the Week
puñetazo
punch
Example: “El comité de selección le dió un puñetazo al estómago de BYU con esas clasificaciones.”
Translation: “The selection committee gave BYU a punch to the stomach with those rankings.”
