When Initial College Football Playoff rankings for the 2024 season Announced Tuesday night, BYU moved into the same spot it was last ranked in the Associated Press’ 25 rankings – No. 9.

While this was the highest point BYU had ever reached in the CFP rankings, the undefeated Cougars (8-0, 4-0 in the Big 12) fell behind five teams with one loss and finished fourth out of the five remaining undefeated teams in the FBS. level.

Following the release of the initial CFP rankings, numerous national analysts weighed in on what they think the CFP committee did right, what they did wrong, and what they think these initial rankings could mean for the playoff picture when the 12-team field is announced next month.

One thing these analysts make clear: The Big 12 has the biggest climb among the Power 4 conferences to get more than one team into the playoffs, based on these early rankings.

Yes, in addition to the final rankings that will be announced on December 8, there will be four more weeks of CFP rankings before the rankings of the 12 teams.

Still, with four Big 12 schools in the initial CFP rankings (Iowa State at No. 17, Kansas State at No. 19 and Colorado at No. 20) it could be a one-bid league for the postseason.

Here’s what a few national experts think about BYU’s standing, as well as what these early rankings say about the committee’s perception of the Big 12.

David Hale of ESPN

Hale put BYU into action #1 on Anger Index In the first week of the CFP rankings, he argued that the Cougars should be most bothered by where they are at.

“There are only two possible explanations for BYU’s treatment in this initial ranking,” Hale wrote. “The first is that committee members are too sleepy to watch matches outside the Central time zone. The second, and frankly less rational, is that they haven’t done much homework.”

BYU was one spot behind the Big Ten’s undefeated Indiana. The Cougars’ schedule strength is 63. ESPN’s Football Power IndexThe Hoosiers’ SOS is 103.

The Cougars are also three spots ahead of Boise State, which is important because the conference’s top five champions earn an automatic berth in the CFP, while the conference’s top four champions will receive a first-round bye regardless of conference.

BYU also has two wins against teams ranked in the top 20: 13th-ranked SMU (on the road) and 19th-ranked Kansas State.

“Indiana’s rags-to-riches story is great, of course, but how can the committee compare what BYU did (beating SMU and Kansas State) to Indiana’s powerful 103rd-ranked program?” he asked.

If BYU loses a game, it’s not inconceivable that Boise State of the Mountain West Conference could be close enough to pass BYU in the final top four.

“What if BYU loses a game – maybe the Big 12 championship game? “Not only would this prevent the Cougars from earning a first-round bye, but it could also create a scenario where the Big 12 would be overtaken by upstart Boise State, knocking them out of the top four conferences entirely,” Hale wrote.

“What is clear from this first round of qualifying is that the committee absolutely loves the Big Ten — with four teams ranked ahead of a subjectively more successful BYU team — and the Big 12 will face some serious headwinds.”

Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports

Marcello identified both Indiana and BYU as teams he sees Underrated in first CFP rankingsAmong the Big Ten and SEC, No. 6 Penn State and No. 24 Missouri, respectively, were overrated teams.

“This isn’t necessarily an issue, and we were genuinely surprised that the committee ranked BYU in the top 10, but we understand the frustration of BYU fans,” Marcello wrote. “The five one-loss teams sit ahead of the undefeated Cougars, who have a win against the 13th seed. SMU on the road and against number 19 Kansas State. These are fantastic victories, but mitigating them is the overall strength of the program. “The Cougars’ overall record among opponents is 34-38 and their strength of schedule is 61st, according to ESPN.”

While Marcello is a little less sanguine about the idea that BYU is underrated, he suggests that if the Cougars win, all the problems will be solved.

“Again, this all comes down to the ‘eye test,’ at least based on the statements made to the media by the chairman of the selection committee, Warde Manuel, on Tuesday night,” Marcello wrote. “All the Cougars can do is keep winning and improve their resume. If they win the Big 12 Championship Game and then lose, BYU could still be in the field, too.”

Action Network’s Brett McMurphy

McMurphy remains outspoken on the fate of the Big 12The first of his four thoughts on the CFP rankings was titled “The ruin of the Big 12.”

“The Big 12 champion will be part of the 12-team playoffs. That much is certain. But if Boise State wins and BYU does not finish 13-0 as the Big 12 champion, the Big 12 champion will not have a first-round bye,” McMurphy wrote to Hale Agreeing with ‘s assessment of the Big 12 and Boise State. initial placement.

“That’s because Big 12 leader BYU (8-0) is ranked No. 9, but only three spots ahead of No. 12 Boise State (7-1), the Mountain West favorite. “A 12-1 Boise State/Mountain West champion will likely finish better than a one-loss Big 12 champion.”

Could Iowa State, Kansas State and/or Colorado be in a big tilt next month? McMurphy paints a bleak picture of the Big 12 hoping to become a multiple-bid league, based on early rankings.

“While BYU must win to earn a first-round bye to the Big 12, the chances of the Big 12 having a second team ranked high enough in the final poll to earn a second bid are slim,” McMurphy wrote.

“NO. No. 17 Iowa State, No. 19 Kansas State and No. 20 Colorado are within striking distance of making a major push, but if either of those teams can’t win they’ll be back in the rankings.

“If one of them wins and captures the Big 12 title, there is no telling if they can top Boise State 12-1 and also knock BYU out of the running by a large margin.”

Blake Toppmeyer for USA Today

Toppmeyer believes BYU ‘rejected’ by CFP committeeand that’s a negative for the Big 12.

He also noted that the Big 12 and ACC may both be one-bid leagues, but perhaps the ACC is in a better position as SMU, one of the teams the Cougars beat, came in at No. 13.

If the Mustangs win and win the ACC championship game against No. 4-seeded Miami, that would open the door for the ACC to receive two CFP bids, Toppmeyer explained.

“If BYU wins the Big 12, the conference will almost certainly be a one-bid league. If the Cougars lose in the Big 12 championship game, they could slide to the wrong side of the bubble, which would limit the Big 12 to one bid,” Toppmeyer wrote.

“The committee really dirtied BYU. The Cougars play complementary football. They are among 11 teams nationally ranked in the top 25 in both offense and defense.

“They are the only team to beat SMU and they did it on the road.

“They are one of only two teams to beat Kansas State, and they beat the Wildcats.”

Stewart Mandel of the Athletic

When asked if it was safe to assume a loss would end BYU’s bid for a CFP spot, Mandel was more optimistic about the Cougars’ chances in that potential scenario.

So, with five weeks of games left (four weeks in the regular season and one conference championship week), there’s time for other teams to lose around BYU.

But with that in mind, Mandel wrote that the Cougars being behind five one-loss teams from the SEC and Big Ten “confirms what we suspected all along that the committee would not give teams outside of the ‘Power 2’.” (With the exception of Notre Dame) the benefit of the doubt is the same even if president Warde Manuel insists the committee doesn’t care about the conferences.”

That could come down to when BYU loses, just like the Cougars lose — if BYU can manage to lose just once and stay in contention.

“Oh 12-1 BYU is the team that hasn’t lost. Until the conference title game can safely resume, as the committee will not go too far to play and lose an extra game. But Tuesday night’s rankings raised a possibility I had previously ignored: No. 12 Boise State could sweep the Big 12 champion in the fourth first round and get a bye, Mandel wrote.

“Now, what if BYU loses to Utah this week and advances to the conference championship game but loses to Colorado? I don’t like the Cougars’ chances.”

What is the remaining schedule for the four Big 12 teams in the CFP rankings?

As previously mentioned, four Big 12 teams were ranked in the initial CFP rankings.

Looking at the final month of competition for each of these teams, it may be difficult to imagine another Big 12 team entering the broader discussion without help.

And if BYU goes undefeated in the regular season but loses in the Big 12 championship game, will it be considered an at-large berth?

Here’s a look at who the CFP-ranked Big 12 teams will be playing over the next four weeks:

9 BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)

• Saturday – At Utah (4-4, 1-4 Big 12)
• Nov. 16 — vs. Kansas (2-6, 1-4 Big 12)
• Nov. 23 — At Arizona State (6-2, 3-2 Big 12)
• Nov. 30 — vs. Houston (4-5, 3-3 Big 12)

Based on win-loss record, Arizona State is the Cougars’ toughest test the rest of the way and could be the most impressive win for BYU in the committee’s eyes.

But before that, BYU needs to win at rival Utah. The Cougars haven’t won in Salt Lake City since 2006, and while the league’s preseason favorites, the Utes, haven’t lived up to their lofty expectations, this is a rivalry game and anything is possible.

No. 17 Iowa State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)

• Saturday – At Kansas (2-6, 1-4 Big 12)
• Nov. 16 — vs. Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2 Big 12)
• Nov. 23 — At Utah (4-4, 1-4 Big 12)
• Nov. 30 — vs. #19 Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12)

The Cyclones will be the favorite in every game for several weeks before the regular season finale.

If the Wildcats can make it through, the home game against Kansas State will be Iowa State’s best chance to make a big impression on the CFP committee.

No. 19 Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12)

• Nov. 16 — vs. Arizona State (6-2, 3-2 Big 12)
• Nov. 23 — vs. Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2 Big 12)
• Nov. 30 – No. 17 Iowa State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)

The Wildcats have one less game left in the regular season than the other three teams in the Big 12, but they have an advantage over the others: Every remaining opponent has a winning record.

While the biggest challenge will be playing Iowa State on the road in the season finale, beating Arizona State and Cincinnati at home could also make an impact. But everything depends on the last game of the regular season.

No. 20 Colorado (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)

• Saturday – At Texas Tech (6-3, 4-2 Big 12)
• Nov. 16 — vs. Utah (4-4, 1-4 Big 12)
• Nov. 23 — At Kansas (2-6, 1-4 Big 12)
• Nov. 30 — vs. Oklahoma State (3-6, 0-6 Big 12)

Like BYU, the Buffaloes do not have a game against a ranked opponent in the final four weeks of the regular season.

From an impression standpoint, the most critical of these games comes this Saturday when Colorado travels to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are coming off a win against Iowa State and a road victory against Texas Tech could help the Buffaloes get a significant jump in next week’s CFP rankings.