The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings have stirred up a fair bit of controversy, especially when it comes to BYU and Utah. With the regular season almost over, the CFP committee is under a microscope.
Both teams have had strong years, but some analysts—like Todd McShay—think they’re ranked too high. Let’s dig into where BYU and Utah stand, why folks are arguing about it, and what it could mean for the playoff chase.
BYU and Utah in the Latest CFP Rankings
Right now, BYU is at No. 11 and Utah sits at No. 12. Both teams have had some big moments lately.
BYU has a 10-1 record. Their only stumble was a tough 29-7 loss to Texas Tech, but they bounced back with a lopsided win over TCU.
Utah’s at 9-2. They lost to Texas Tech and BYU, but crushed Baylor 55-28, which definitely helped their cause.
BYU’s Season Performance
BYU’s had a pretty solid run. That one loss to Texas Tech stings, but the recent win over TCU gave their ranking a boost.
Still, some folks are saying their schedule hasn’t been tough enough to justify where they’re sitting.
- Record: 10-1
- Notable Win: 44-13 vs. TCU
- Key Loss: 29-7 vs. Texas Tech
Utah’s Season Performance
Utah’s year has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Two losses—one to Texas Tech and a close one to BYU—aren’t ideal.
Still, they’ve got that huge win over Baylor and just beat Kansas State, so they’re not out of the mix. But the committee might be eyeing their lack of wins over ranked teams.
- Record: 9-2
- Notable Win: 55-28 vs. Baylor
- Key Losses: 34-10 vs. Texas Tech, 24-21 vs. BYU
Todd McShay’s Critique
On *The McShay Show* this Saturday, Todd McShay didn’t hold back. He said BYU and Utah should drop in the CFP rankings.
McShay thinks the committee needs to look at the whole college football landscape a bit more closely, especially when it comes to the Big 12 and ACC.
The Big Picture
He actually gave the committee some credit overall, but says they’re missing the mark with the Big 12. The ACC, in his words, is a mess right now, but Miami is ranked about right at 8-2.
According to McShay, BYU and Utah just don’t quite stack up when you look at the big picture. He’s not alone in thinking that, honestly.
*”Let’s actually get real this week,”* McShay said. He wants the committee to take a step back and see the whole board. In his view, Miami—even though they’re ranked behind Utah—has a stronger case for moving up.
The Case for Miami
Miami is sitting at No. 13, just behind Utah. Some people are making the case that the Hurricanes should be ahead, considering how they’ve played lately.
Miami’s two losses came against unranked teams (Louisville and SMU), which might not look as bad as Utah’s losses to Texas Tech and BYU, depending on how you slice it.
- Record: 8-2
- Notable Win: 34-17 vs. Virginia Tech
- Key Losses: Louisville, SMU
CFP Selection Committee chair Hunter Yurachek has tried to explain Miami’s spot, saying Utah’s losses were to better teams. Still, Utah only has one win over a currently ranked squad (Arizona State), so their case isn’t exactly bulletproof.
Miami’s wild 51-47 win over Kansas State was fun to watch, but maybe not quite enough to leapfrog Utah—at least, not yet.
Future Implications
The next CFP rankings are going to be huge, with the regular season winding down. BYU and Utah are right on the edge of the expanded 12-team playoff field, but nothing’s guaranteed.
Potential Shakeups
Big changes could be coming. Both teams need to finish strong if they want to keep their spots—or move up.
Honestly, any slip-up could be costly, especially with Miami right there, waiting for a chance to jump ahead.
What to Watch For
As the season winds down, there are a few things worth keeping an eye on:
- BYU’s and Utah’s remaining games: Any losses could really sting at this point.
- Miami’s performance: If they keep winning, don’t be shocked if they jump ahead of Utah.
- Committee’s criteria: Are they going to prioritize quality losses or just focus on the records?
The next CFP rankings should give us a better sense of what the committee is thinking. Maybe BYU and Utah hang on, but you never know—Miami could shake things up late.
If you’re after more in-depth analysis or just want the latest updates, check out Pro Football Network.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
