The College Football Playoff (CFP) is about to enter a new era, and BYU is in the best position to take full advantage. With the CFP expanding from four to twelve teams, the 2024 season presents opportunities for teams like BYU to make a splash. BYU’s big season in the Big 12 so far has placed the Cougars at the top of the conference standings and now has the best chance of winning the Big 12 title.

The new twelve-team CFP format begins with the first official rankings airing on Tuesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Updated rankings will continue every Tuesday until the final Selection Day on December 8, when the full playoff seedings will be announced.

Under this expanded structure, the CFP will include the five highest-seeded conference champions and the next seven highest-seeded teams, regardless of conference. This change provides greater access to the play-offs for teams that do not finish in the top four but still show elite level play; Teams like BYU are now competing for one of the coveted top five spots as a member of the Big 12. dots. The four highest-seeded conference champions will receive first-round byes, and the fifth through twelfth seeds will face each other in campus-hosted matchups.

This season has been nothing short of a miracle for BYU. According to FPI, BYU’s championship potential has increased and their chances of winning the Big 12 are now 36.3%.

An undefeated season in the Big 12 would put BYU in strong position for a CFP selection and give the Cougars complete control over their own destiny. But even if BYU loses, they could still receive an at-large offer due to the strength of their resume.

The first CFP rankings showcase will be an initial temperature check of where the team stands for BYU’s playoff hopes. Weekly updates will show us how the committee views BYU’s performance in the larger playoff picture.

With the expanded field of the CFP, BYU fans have plenty of reasons to be excited. The new format gives more competitive teams like BYU a fair shot at the title, and the Cougars’ success in the Big 12 strengthens their case for national recognition. With every win, they prove they belong on the biggest stage college football has to offer.