National Analysts Came to BYU's Defense After CFP Rankings Were Unveiled

Casey Lundquist | Nov 6, 2024

Oct 26, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) runs for a touchdown against the Central Florida Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images / Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

As the first edition of the 2024 College Football Playoff rankings were being released, ESPN's Greg McElroy said BYU's no. 9 ranking was "painfully low". McElroy wasn't the only national analyst to question the committee's decision to rank BYU behind the likes of Indiana, Miami, Penn State, and Texas. Multiple national analysts came to BYU's defense after the rankings were unveiled.

"There are only two possible explanations for BYU's treatment in this initial ranking," ESPN staff writer David Hale wrote. "The first is that the committee members are too sleepy to watch games beyond the Central time zone. The second, and frankly, less rational one, is they simply didn't do much homework."

Hale continued, "BYU (No. 4) has a better strength of record than Ohio State (No. 5), has played roughly the same quality schedule as Texas and has two wins against other teams ranked in the committee's top 25 -- as many as Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, Tennessee and Indiana (all ranked ahead of the Cougars) combined. Indiana's rags-to-riches story is wonderful, of course, but how can the committee compare what BYU has done (wins over SMU and Kansas State) against Indiana's 103rd-ranked strength of schedule?"

Joe Rexrode of The Athletic wrote that the committee "got this one wrong". Rexrode wrote, "Talk amongst yourselves, committee members, and don’t be afraid to change your mind. Or to speak loudly and clearly to the ones in the room who got this one wrong and need their minds changed."

The response was similar on social media. Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports believes BYU should not be ranked behind Texas.

I always tell myself I won't get mad about in-season CFP rankings because they're not real. And then I always get mad.

JUSTICE FOR BYU!

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 6, 2024

*and* BYU is undefeated! https://t.co/QDiE7BQWQ8

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 6, 2024

Brandon Walker of Barstool Sports believes BYU should be ahead of Indiana.

Everybody is saying Indiana needs more respect. What about BYU, who has two good wins to Indiana’s zero.

There’s no world that Indiana should be above BYU. pic.twitter.com/kqU4exRsSg

— Brandon Walker (@BFW) November 6, 2024

So does Joel Klatt, who was on the call for BYU-Arizona earlier this year.

The clear brand bias of CFP committee is striking...If you want to rank off eye test that is fine, but have a set and watch @IndianaFootball without bias...If you want to rank off resume then have a set and rank @BYUfootball higher than those that don't touch their ranked wins

— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) November 6, 2024

Shenan Jeyarajah pointed out that BYU has more CFP Top 25 wins that the four teams ahead of them combined.

BYU has more CFP Top 25 wins (2) than the four teams ahead of them -- Indiana, Tennessee, Penn State, Texas -- combined (1).

— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) November 6, 2024

Agree with @GregMcElroy on BYU. Cougars should be getting way more credit for the SMU win and the K-State blowout. Those are better wins than Texas or Penn State has.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 6, 2024

Sam Khan put BYU's resume up next to Penn State's resume. On paper, BYU's is objectively better.

🤔 pic.twitter.com/c8H0nyTrIS

— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) November 6, 2024

BYU is undefeated with wins at No. 13 SMU and vs. No. 19 K-State.

Being ranked down at No. 9 feels way too low.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 6, 2024