Texas Tech Claims Big 12 Crown, But BYU’s Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance

Texas Tech won its first Big 12 Championship on Saturday. The Red Raiders defeated BYU 34-7 in Arlington. Head coach Joey McGuire was emotional after the victory.

The win secures Texas Tech’s spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. However, McGuire immediately advocated for their defeated opponent. He argued the Big 12 deserves two playoff teams.

Coaches Unite in Plea for BYU’s Playoff Inclusion

Joey McGuire made a public case for BYU after the game. He noted BYU finished the season with an 11-2 record. Both losses were decisive defeats to his now fourth-ranked Red Raiders.

McGuire believes the committee should look closely at BYU’s résumé. He expressed immense respect for BYU coach Kalani Sitake and his team. According to McGuire, an 11-2 record is compelling for a two-loss team.

BYU’s Kalani Sitake echoed the sentiment in his own press conference. He called Texas Tech the best team in the country. Sitake highlighted that no other contender has faced the nation’s top team twice.

Blowout Loss Likely Dooms Cougars’ CFP Bid

Despite the coaches’ pleas, Saturday’s result hurts BYU’s case. Analysts believe a close game was needed to stay in contention. The lopsided nature of the loss shifts committee focus elsewhere.

BYU’s offense was silenced after an opening touchdown drive. The Cougars committed four costly turnovers against a stout Texas Tech defense. They were outgained by a significant margin in the second half.

While BYU holds quality wins over ranked Utah and Arizona, the final impression was poor. Attention now turns to other contenders like Notre Dame and Miami. The final College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed Sunday.

The debate highlights the new dynamics of a 12-team playoff field. The selection committee’s decision on BYU will be closely watched by the entire college football world.

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Q1: Did Texas Tech make the College Football Playoff?

Yes. By winning the Big 12 Championship, Texas Tech secured an automatic bid into the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Their final seeding will be announced Sunday.

Q2: What was BYU’s ranking before the championship game?

BYU was ranked 11th in the College Football Playoff rankings entering the Big 12 title game. Their two losses prior to Saturday were both to Texas Tech.

Q3: Why are coaches advocating for BYU to make the playoff?

Coaches McGuire and Sitake point to BYU’s strong 11-2 overall record. They argue that losing twice to the nation’s top team should not fully disqualify a worthy contender from the new 12-team format.

Q4: What will hurt BYU’s chances with the selection committee?

The blowout nature of the championship loss is a major factor. A closer game would have helped their case. The committee may now favor other two-loss teams with more competitive recent results.

Q5: When are the final CFP rankings released?

The College Football Playoff selection committee will release its final rankings, setting the full 12-team bracket, on Sunday. The announcement will confirm all playoff participants and their matchups.