Analysts React to BYU Football's College Football Playoff Ranking

On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff committee released the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings. BYU was ranked #14, six spots lower than their ranking in the AP poll. The ranking surprised BYU fans, but it also surprised national college football analysts:

ESPN's Bill Connelly has been an advocate for BYU for the past few weeks. Connelly called BYU's ranking "a complete joke."

One half great. One half a complete joke. https://t.co/7cfl8wcDiW
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) November 25, 2020

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 (@ESPNDari) November 25, 2020

"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

Even the ESPN pundits are stunned by BYU being #14. And now Gary Barta is--of course--telling people sadly how their schedule hurt them. How about WATCHING them play? Ridiculous...
— John Feinstein (@FeinsteinBooks_) November 25, 2020

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 (@CFBHeather) November 25, 2020

"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 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 (@Brett_McMurphy) November 25, 2020

Eye test should play a huge role w schedule imbalance.. I’m stunned BYU is 14 in the first release.. they only have one more game left on the schedule and it’s December 12th. Dec 5th is an open date and Cincinnati has an open date. We can all dream about that showdown.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) November 25, 2020

Also, BYU is way better than No. 14.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) November 25, 2020

“BYU being all the way down at no. 14... I just don’t understand it.”

- @KirkHerbstreit #BYU #BYUSN
— Spencer Linton (@Spencer_Linton) November 25, 2020

“BYU being all the way down at no. 14... I just don’t understand it.” - Kirk Herbstreit

BYU at 14 is as ridiculous as anything the committee has ever spit out. Watch the damn games. https://t.co/qAS47rVPbs
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) November 25, 2020

David Pollack: "My gosh, BYU (at) No. 14? That is absolutely nuts to me, just watching how dominant they are, not just analytically, but physically, when you turn on the tape."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) November 25, 2020

"My gosh, BYU (at) No. 14? That is absolutely nuts to me, just watching how dominant they are, not just analytically, but physically, when you turn on the tape." - David Pollack

@BYUfootball at #14? Completely disagree.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 25, 2020

"BYU football at #14? Completely disagree." - Matt Leinart

"Yes... the SOS is awful... but clearly the #CFBPlayoff didn’t watch a minute of BYU football this season." - Anish Shroff

"Wow, were the undefeated and dominant Cougars disrespected at No. 14. Yes, the schedule is weaker than a cocktail in a Provo bar, but this is a team that has passed the eye test with flying colors. BYU is explosive offensively, tough defensively and owns the largest average margin of victory in the country at 33.7. The Cougars also have a fat 3.14 yards-per-play advantage over opponents to date. (Alabama, by comparison, is plus 2.78 yards per play.) The message is clear: If the Cougars want to move up, they’d better schedule another game in the coming two weeks." - Pat Forde

Northwestern is not a better football team than BYU#CFBPlayoff
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) November 25, 2020

Anybody who just blurts out "their schedule" for why BYU is ranked No. 14 has clearly not watched BYU. I like their odds against at least half the teams above them
— Michael Perchick (@MichaelPerchick) November 25, 2020

If the committee “watched the games” they’d certainly have BYU ahead of some of these other teams.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 25, 2020

BYU should be in the top 10. Put them behind Cincinnati if you want. But they should absolutely be in the top 10 the way they have played this season, regardless of competition.
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) November 25, 2020

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