Big 12 Championship Showdown Puts Notre Dame’s Playoff Hopes on Edge

The outcome of Saturday’s Big 12 championship game holds major playoff implications. No. 11 BYU faces No. 4 Texas Tech in Arlington. The result could determine the final team in the College Football Playoff field.

According to the final committee rankings before Selection Sunday, Notre Dame sits precariously at No. 10. The Fighting Irish are the last at-large team currently in the bracket. A BYU upset victory would almost certainly change that.

How a BYU Win Reshapes the Playoff Picture

A BYU victory creates a complex scenario. Texas Tech would not fall out of the top four entirely with a narrow loss. The Red Raiders would instead claim an at-large bid.

This would send two Big 12 teams to the playoff. The bracket only has twelve spots. Someone must be bumped out to make room for the second conference team.

That team would be Notre Dame. The Irish would be eliminated from playoff contention. They would then head to a major New Year’s Six bowl game instead.

The Stakes of a BYU Loss for Notre Dame

A BYU loss does not automatically save Notre Dame. The margin of defeat matters greatly. A close game likely keeps BYU ranked ahead of other contenders.

A blowout loss by the Cougars could be problematic. It might cause the committee to drop BYU below the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes. This creates a direct comparison issue for Notre Dame.

Miami owns a head-to-head victory over Notre Dame from Week 1. Both teams finished 10-2. If ranked side-by-side, the committee might favor Miami for the final spot due to that result.

Notre Dame’s playoff fate now hinges on a game they are not playing in. The Big 12 championship outcome will finalize the bracket on Sunday, leaving the Irish to watch and wait.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How can BYU affect Notre Dame’s playoff chances?

A BYU win puts two Big 12 teams in the playoff. The 12-team field has limited spots. This would force Notre Dame out of its current position.

Q2: What happens if Texas Tech wins?

Texas Tech is expected to stay in the top four with a win. The focus then shifts to whether BYU falls far enough in the rankings to allow Miami to jump Notre Dame for the final at-large bid.

Q3: Why is Miami a threat to Notre Dame?

Miami defeated Notre Dame head-to-head in September. Both teams have identical 10-2 records. The committee has so far ranked Notre Dame higher, but that could change if the teams are evaluated directly against each other for the last spot.

Q4: When will the final playoff field be announced?

The College Football Playoff Selection Show is on Sunday. It will reveal the complete 12-team bracket after all conference championship games conclude on Saturday.

Q5: Where is the Big 12 championship game?

The game is at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It kicks off on Saturday evening and will be broadcast on a major network.