BYU Checks in at Number 14 in First College Football Playoff Rankings

BYU checked in at number 14 in the first college football playoff rankings released Tuesday evening. That is 6 spots under the number 8 ranking BYU is in both the AP and Coaches Polls.

BYU’s ranking indicates that the lackluster schedule meant more to committee members than BYU’s dominating performances, 9-0 record, and a star QB. Other teams have not played nearly the amount of games as BYU and have more scheduled in the future, so BYU will need to strongly consider adding an additional quality game or two in the future if BYU wants to be eligible for a NY6 bid. #7 Cincinnati has an opening December 5th, and other games are sure to be cancelled in the coming weeks. If BYU wants to get a NY6 bid, then BYU will really need to schedule one, if not 2, quality games.

Rumors buzzed about BYU playing Washington this coming weekend, but that ultimately fell through. The narrative around national media is that BYU ducked out, true or not. That perception may have hurt BYU in the first rankings.

Below are the full rankings:

1. Alabama (7-0)
2. Notre Dame (8-0)
3. Clemson (7-1)
4. Ohio State (4-0)
5. Texas A&M (5-1)
6. Florida (6-1)
7. Cincinnati (8-0)
8. Northwestern (5-0)
9. Georgia (5-2)
10. Miami (FL) (7-1)
11. Oklahoma (6-2)
12. Indiana (4-1)
13. Iowa State (6-2)
14. BYU (9-0)
15. Oregon (3-0)
16. Wisconsin (2-1)
17. Texas (5-2)
18. USC (3-0)
19. North Carolina (6-2)
20. Coastal Carolina (8-0)
21. Marshall (7-0)
22. Auburn (5-2)
23. Oklahoma State (5-2)
24. Iowa (3-2)
25. Tulsa (5-1)