BYU went a bit off the rails after not making the final cut for the College Football Playoff

Jeff Hauser

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BYU went a bit off the rails after not making the final cut for the College Football Playoff image

BYU’s social media team didn’t hold back Sunday after the Cougars were left out of the College Football Playoff. Shortly after the 12-team field was revealed, the program’s official accounts launched a rapid-fire series of posts questioning the committee’s reasoning while promoting BYU’s resume.

“Congrats to all the teams who made the @CFBPlayoff. Many talented, deserved programs,” the school wrote in one post. “Worth asking the question… Was the core mission & purpose of the committee to ensure the BEST teams are included upheld?” 

Another message featured side-by-side resume graphics comparing BYU to Miami and Notre Dame. “Objectively, how do you defend this?” The account asked.

From there, BYU amplified dozens of outside voices, retweeting analysts and fans who argued the Cougars had a stronger case than Miami, Notre Dame, and even Alabama. The flurry definitely expressed the frustration in Provo after an 11-2 season that included one of the program’s best overall records in school history.

The Cougars’ losses on the road at Texas Tech and again to the Red Raiders in the Big 12 Championship were to a CFP top-four seed but came by wide margins. 

However, BYU pointed towards metrics, wins, and comparative data showing it matched or exceeded the teams in the at-large debate. Ultimately, the committee placed BYU at No. 12, behind Alabama at No. 9, Miami at No. 10, and Notre Dame at No. 11. 

The Cougars will now head to the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Georgia Tech, but their social media message was unmistakable: they believe they belonged in the playoff.

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Editorial Team