The second week of the College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night with another round of surprise decisions by the committee.
The top seven teams all remained the same as Alabama (8-0), Notre Dame (9-0), Clemson (8-1) and Ohio State (4-0) continue to occupy the top four spots. The Buckeyes stayed ahead of a pair of one-loss teams in Texas A&M (6-1) and Florida (7-1), as well as undefeated Cincinnati (8-0) despite having played just four games.
For BYU, Tuesday was a mix of good and bad news. While the team did move up one spot in the rankings to No. 13, the Cougars still find themselves behind three two-loss teams in No 8 Georgia (6-2), No. 9 Iowa State (7-2) and No. 11 Oklahoma (6-2). BYU is also still outside the threshold to qualify for a New Year’s Six bowl game.
College Football World Reacts To No. 13 BYU Playing No. 18 Coastal Carolina
Despite all the media and fanfare about BYU’s ridiculously low ranking last week, the media outrage didn’t change the minds of the playoff committee this week. In past years, the playoff committee has made some adjusts and revaluated teams from week to week, but the playoff committee has doubled down on its perception of BYU.
BYU’s move up to No. 13 was due to Michigan State’s upset win over Northwestern (5-1). The Wildcats dropped six spots to check in at No. 14. However, based on the committee’s view of BYU, the Cougars could very well get passed by teams behind them.
The Cougars not only need teams in front of them to lose, but they also need help so that teams behind them don’t jump them. For example, Oklahoma State (6-2) hung on to defeat Texas Tech (3-6) 50-44 at home last week. For whatever reason, a close win over a three-win team was enough for the Cowboys to jump from No. 23 last week, to No. 15 this week. With 2-3 teams in front of BYU likely to lose (Indiana, Iowa State, etc.), Cougar fans better hope there are many more upsets in the weeks to come to to help secure the program’s first NY6 bowl game.
Here’s how the media and fans reacted after the rankings came out:
* The BYU disrespect continues. Cougars need a P5 game. Any team!
* Unimpressive Big 12 teams make massive jumps.
*ACC looks like a lock now for 2 teams in the “CFB Invitational” #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CFB #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/qRMGVeQJ7j— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) December 2, 2020
“I’m really tired of the disrespect that Zach Wilson, Kalani Sitake and the rest of the BYU Cougars are getting.”@JoelKlatt reacts to @BYUFootball at No. 13 in the CFP and tries to make sense of Georgia's top 10 ranking ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VdOfgr1mDF
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 2, 2020
"Georgia would trade quarterbacks for Zach Wilson in a heartbeat. This notion that BYU is not anywhere close to as good as Georgia, I'm not sure that's the case."@joelklatt joins to talk latest College Football playoff rankings: pic.twitter.com/1Nn7IH3DAq
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 2, 2020
It's totally absurd that BYU is ranked 13th in CFP. I'm guessing if unlimited scheduling is possible and Cougars were 25-0, they might be 12th. Put them in SEC uniforms, and they might be 3rd.
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) December 2, 2020
CFP reactions
1) Top 4 are heads and shoulders above everyone else…@AlabamaFTBL #1 and then 2-3-4 however you like
2) @GeorgiaFootball in the top 10 is laughable
3) Disrespect for @BYUfootball is real and I don't understand
4) I hear same thing as @KirkHerbstreit from coaches!— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) December 2, 2020
Desmond Howard pointing out the inconsistencies in the SOS explanation that the Gary Barta keeps giving on #BYU
Can someone make sure Gary sees this? Thanks. pic.twitter.com/tSvMUjly1W
— Taylor Puffer (@tpuffer18) December 2, 2020
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) December 2, 2020
After week 13 of play, this is my latest TOP 10: pic.twitter.com/ZcImwtap4m
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) November 30, 2020
They wouldn’t win the Big 12. I’d argue Oklahoma, BYU amongst others beat them.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) December 2, 2020
Just determined BYU's path is near impossible. Not guaranteed access. All the other spots would almost assuredly be taken up. Still, technically eligible at 12.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) December 2, 2020
BYU surges up … one spot. To 13. Phhhhtttt.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 2, 2020
Exhibits 1 & 2 why the @CFBPlayoff rankings are absolutely meaningless until the final one:
1-North Carolina loses by 14 at home to Notre Dame … and moves up 2 spots to 17
2-Oklahoma State defeats 3-6 Texas Tech by 6 at home … and moves up 8 spots to 15
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 2, 2020
By the way, BYU inching up a spot is not insignificant. No. 12 might get the Cougars a spot in the NY6.
And attrition in front of the Cougars is very possible.
Especially with IU and IState and OU playing each other.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) December 2, 2020
Georgia, the No. 8 team in the country, has six wins over teams with a combined 12-29 record, and lopsided losses to two Top 10 teams.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2020
The weekly made for TV rankings release is always kind of a dumb exercise….but this weird year has truly exposed it for being laugh out loud awful – full of inconsistencies that make zero sense whatsoever
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) December 2, 2020
Committee chair Gary Barta on BYU:
"Great respect for BYU, but what is it that holds them back? … It's really the strength of schedule not being as strong as some of the other teams that were ranked ahead of them."
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2020
Yep.
Power 5 conferences go to conference only. BYU beats up the teams they could scrap together. Power 5 AD says that's nice, but look at their schedule. https://t.co/DOvrlmQqO5
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2020
Barta: “On the one hand, you can’t fault Ohio State for their schedule. It’s not their fault they’ve had games cancelled. We can’t penalize them for it.
“On the other hand, BYU should’ve done more to get a better schedule. We can’t reward them for playing such a weak schedule.” pic.twitter.com/w9i0ovWQV9— College Football Playoff Committee (@PlayoffCollege) December 2, 2020
BYU should be higher, but they're not in a terrible position for NY6 at 13, since Oklahoma/Iowa State likely play again.
Cougars will want Indiana to lose again (Penix is injured, Wisconsin is next) and Miami to lose to UNC. Maybe could jump UF/UGA if UF gets blown out by Bama.
— Chris Vannini ? (@ChrisVannini) December 2, 2020
Once again a CFP Committee double standard from Bart’s.
Ohio State only 4 games: It’s the pandemic’s fault.
BYU strength of schedule: We respect BYU, but the teams they have played aren’t good.
If you aren’t a P5, the deck will always be stacked against you. #Fact #CFBPlayoff
— Ben Bagley (@benbags) December 2, 2020
Despite everyone disagreeing with them, the CFP committee digs its heels in on BYU. They refuse to look at what BYU has actually done.
— Jason Shepherd (@jsnshep) December 2, 2020
Rece Davis fighting to good fight for BYU!
Gary Barta is the worst. pic.twitter.com/zeqREWbYuy
— Taylor Puffer (@tpuffer18) December 2, 2020
the CFP committee when it comes to BYU: pic.twitter.com/ucROim6BkD
— sydnie (@sydnie_clarah) December 2, 2020
Is the CFP committee blind?
yes yes yes
? ? ?— The ROC (@byuROC) December 2, 2020
Who would have ever thought we would have a system that makes the BCS look good?
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 2, 2020
"Ain't played nobody" is so lazy when it comes to BYU. Look at the advanced metrics and please watch the games.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) December 2, 2020
BYU still too low.
— College Football Rankings ™ (@CFBRanking) December 2, 2020
The @CFBPlayoff just kicked me off the teleconference call as I pressed the button to ask a question about #BYU moving up one spot to No. 13, and no operators are available to let me back into the call. Convenient.
— Sean Walker (@ActuallyDSW) December 2, 2020
Lucky(?) no. 13 for @BYUfootball in the latest @CFBPlayoff rankings.
Committee chair Gary Barta doubling down on “strength of schedule” (or lack thereof in #BYU’s case) as the reason for the Cougars’ widely disputed position.#BYUSN
— Spencer Linton (@Spencer_Linton) December 2, 2020
Three of the four teams ahead of BYU have losses coming up. We'll see what happens. #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/JzfUmjiZ75
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannKSL) December 2, 2020
I love seeing Zach Wilson repost things like this to his story
Especially considering how crazy this is pic.twitter.com/BWjox8ZCXF
— Tyler Thomsen (@tylerthomsen96) December 1, 2020
A little late to the party tonight and maybe a slight overreaction BUT Iowa State being ranked 9th in the #CFBPlayoff is literally the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. This committee is absolute wild. What sport or year are they watching? Definitely not 2020 college football.
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) December 2, 2020
You can’t spell “Gary Barta hates BYU” without “Gary Barta” #Facts #CFBPlayoff
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) December 2, 2020
Then the BYU guy takes the ship because while everyone else was playing beer pong he was sipping Diet Coke
— District_Ute (@S_Glaus18) December 1, 2020
Gotta love Coastal Carolina ranked in front of USC, Washington and Oregon.
— David James (@DavidDJJames) December 2, 2020
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) December 2, 2020
I cant wait BYU to play a bunch of San Diego kids in the cold.
Committee talking.
Washington talking.
SDSU talking.
Wilson, Tonga and all the starters should play the whole game.
We don’t need to play SDSU again for a long time.
Hang 100 on them.
Make the only statement you can.— Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) December 2, 2020
The absolute disrespect. Please play the starters 60 minutes against SDSU and make a statement.
— Taylor⁴⁵ (@IcyMitchell) December 2, 2020
Find someone who overlooks your flaws the way the committee does with Iowa State
— BYU HY(anon)pe Train Conductor (@joewheat27) December 2, 2020
It’s December. BYU is undefeated and nationally ranked; yet I’m furious. WHAT. A. WORLD. #BYUFootball
— Nick Lombardo (@nlombardo2) December 2, 2020
Honestly, when the CFP committee chair talks about #BYU not being ranked higher, he should just be honest and say, "They play in the West and we're not even really sure they play football out there."
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) December 2, 2020
— Anonymous Anonymizer (@JonathanLingo) December 1, 2020
2020 BYU Football Opponent Tracker — Here’s Everything You Need To Know
College Football Playoff Rankings — Dec. 1
1. Alabama
2. Notre Dame
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
5. Texas A&M
6. Florida
7. Cincinnati
8. Georgia
9. Iowa State
10. Miami
11. Oklahoma
12. Indiana
13. BYU
14. Northwestern
15. Oklahoma State
16. Wisconsin
17. North Carolina
18. Coastal Carolina
19. Iowa
20. USC
21. Marshall
22. Washington
23. Oregon
24. Tulsa
25. Louisiana
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No. 13 BYU vs. No. 18 Coastal Carolina: Predictions, Key Matchups And Betting Lines
