Brett Yormark makes case for BYU to jump Notre Dame in College Football Playoff rankings

Brett Yormark was given a chance to get out of a FOX sideline interview during Friday night’s Arizona–Arizona State game after just two quick questions. But the fourth-year Big 12 commissioner had something to get off his chest about his league’s College Football Playoff chances.

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, the Big 12 has three teams — No. 5 Texas Tech (10-1, 7-1 Big 12), No. 11 BYU (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) and No. 13 Utah (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) — in the mix for a Playoff spot. Of course, with the expectation that both the ACC champion and the highest-ranked Group of Five champ will finish the season outside the Top 12, any team not in the Top 10 on Selection Sunday will likely get bumped from the 12-team field. With that in mind, Yormark took his opportunity in primetime to make the Big 12’s case for multiple Playoff bids.

“I’ve got a little on the CFP,” Yormark interrupted as FOX sideline reporter Josh Sims attempted to throw back to the booth. “Well listen, I just want to let you know that if you would’ve told me a couple months ago we’d have three in the Top 13, I would’ve taken it. And I’m thrilled where this conference is going. As it pertains to Texas Tech, I feel really good about them. I feel like they’re a shoo-in for the CFP. And Utah, obviously they won their 10^th game this year and they should get strong consideration.

“(But) as it relates to BYU, I think they’ve been underappreciated all season long,” Yormark continued, “and when you compare them to a Notre Dame, there is no comparison when you think about strength of record, strength of schedule and win-loss. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the CFP selection committee, I’m sure they’ll get it right at the end of the season.”

Yormark’s decision to compare the 11th-ranked Cougars to the No. 9 Fighting Irish (9-2) and not No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) is interesting , though the fact that Notre Dame doesn’t have a championship game as an Independent could leave room for doubt when the CFP selection committee meets for the final time on Championship Weekend, especially if the Crimson Tide make the SEC title game with an Iron Bowl win on Saturday. By the same token, BYU also has a chance to make the Big 12 Championship game — and potentially avenge its lone loss to Texas Tech — next Saturday if it beats UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) at home on Saturday.

Obviously, with the Red Raiders at No. 5 and only West Virginia left on Saturday, a Big 12 title for the Cougars — especially if it comes against Texas Tech — would almost guarantee the conference gets multiple Playoff bids. But just in case that doesn’t happen, Yormark went to bat for his league on Friday night regardless.