College Football Playoff Picture: BYU’s Resume Deserves More Respect
As we barrel into conference championship weekend, the College Football Playoff conversation is heating up-and not just in the usual places. While the top-tier contenders like Ohio State and Georgia are rightfully in the spotlight, there's another program that’s quietly built a playoff-worthy case but isn’t getting the attention it deserves: BYU.
Let’s start with the basics. The Cougars are 11-1 heading into Saturday, ranked No. 11 in the latest CFP rankings.
That’s outside the top four, and unless chaos breaks loose, outside the playoff. But if we’re talking about teams that have done the work-teams that have stacked up wins against real competition-BYU belongs in the conversation.
The Rule of 10: A Simple, Fair Bar
There’s a rule of thumb that’s been floating around: if you’re a power conference team with at least 10 wins, you should be in the playoff conversation. That’s not a perfect metric, but it’s a solid starting point.
This year, 15 power conference teams (including Notre Dame) hit that 10-win mark. That’s more than there are playoff spots, which means some deserving teams are going to be left out.
But here’s where it gets interesting: not all 10-win seasons are created equal. A team that racks up wins against weaker competition shouldn’t be viewed the same as one that battles through a gauntlet of power conference opponents. So let’s dig deeper-not just who has 10 wins, but who those wins came against.
Power Conference Wins: A Better Lens
Here’s how the top 15 shake out when you count only wins against power conference teams:
- Ohio State (12-0): 10-0
- Indiana (12-0): 9-0
- Oregon (11-1): 9-1
- BYU (11-1): 9-1
- Georgia (11-1): 8-1
- Texas Tech (11-1): 8-1
- Texas A&M (11-1): 8-1
- Alabama (10-2): 8-2
- Notre Dame (10-2): 8-2
- Miami (10-2): 8-2
- Utah (10-2): 8-2
- Ole Miss (11-1): 7-1
- Virginia (10-2): 7-2
- Oklahoma (10-2): 7-2
- Vanderbilt (10-2): 7-2
(Quick note: games against Oregon State and Washington State weren’t included.)
Look at that list again. Only Ohio State has more power conference wins than BYU.
That’s it. And yet, the Cougars are sitting outside the playoff picture while teams with fewer quality wins-like Ole Miss and Vanderbilt-are being penciled in.
The SEC Argument-and the Pushback
Coaches from the SEC, including Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, have been vocal lately. The message?
Life in the SEC is tough, and that should count for more. Sarkisian even floated the idea of adjusting his schedule to chase 10 wins.
That’s how important that number has become in the playoff race.
But here’s the thing: power conference teams already face tough schedules. Most play nine or 10 games against other power conference opponents.
That’s the standard. So if we’re going to compare resumes, let’s compare apples to apples.
Texas, for instance, is 9-3 overall and 6-3 against power conference teams. That’s not bad-but it’s not elite.
The Longhorns are pushing hard for a playoff spot, but their case is built more on brand than on performance. As CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek put it, “It’s not that Texas lost to Ohio State - it is that Texas lost to Florida that’s holding them back.”
That’s the kind of loss that sticks with you. And it should.
BYU’s Case: Built on Wins, Not Hype
Meanwhile, BYU has done what playoff teams are supposed to do. They’ve played a tough schedule, they’ve won big games, and they’ve only stumbled once-against Texas Tech.
If the Cougars win this weekend, they’ll finish with 10 wins against power conference opponents. The only other teams that will hit that mark?
Ohio State and Alabama.
That’s elite company. And it’s not just about quantity.
BYU’s wins have come against legitimate competition. They’ve proven they can go toe-to-toe with top-tier programs.
This isn’t last year’s team that faded late. This is a battle-tested group that’s earned its spot.
The CFP Debate: Why Is BYU Being Left Out?
Despite the resume, BYU’s name keeps getting left out of the major playoff debates. ESPN’s latest breakdown didn’t even include the Cougars in their comparisons. It’s hard to ignore that kind of omission-and it raises real questions about how playoff contenders are being evaluated.
Let’s be clear: every team in the top 15 has a case. But if we’re going to reward performance, not just pedigree, then BYU should be in the mix.
The Cougars have done the work. They’ve won the games.
And if they take care of business on Saturday, they’ll have one of the strongest resumes in the country.
The playoff isn’t about who talks the loudest or who has the flashiest logo. It’s about who’s earned it on the field. And right now, BYU has earned it.
Let the games decide the rest.