since LaVell retired.

In 2001, instead of getting curbstomped by Louisville in the Liberty Bowl, we get the living tar kicked out of us by a top 5 team.

But every other year we don’t make it is exciting because they talk about us. Which is what would happen if you are approaching the top 12 anyway.

The difference between playoff access in a conference versus independent just isn’t that big.

EDIT: Thanks for the correction. We DON’T make the playoffs in 2001 either, because there were six conference champions that outranked BYU by the last week. BYU was #19 at season’s end.