BYU No. 11, Utah No. 12 in Playoff Rankings—but Both Would Miss Cut Under Current Format
On Tuesday night, November 18, 2025, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee dropped its third rankings of the season—and for fans of Brigham Young University and University of Utah, it was a bittersweet moment. The BYU Cougars climbed to No. 11 with a 9-1 record, while the Utah Utes followed at No. 12 at 8-2, both rising one spot after commanding wins on Saturday. But here’s the twist: under the current 12-team playoff structure, neither team makes the cut. BYU is the first team out. Utah is the second. And it’s not because they didn’t play well—it’s because the system doesn’t reward them the way it rewards others.
Dominant Wins, But Not Enough
On November 16, 2025, BYU crushed Texas Christian University 44-13, with quarterback Bear Bachmeier throwing for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, the Utah Utes ran wild over Baylor University, 55-28, with three rushing touchdowns of over 60 yards. Those weren’t flukes. Those were statement wins. But the committee didn’t just look at wins. They looked at who you beat, when you lost, and what conference you’re in. And that’s where things get messy.The Automatic Bid Problem
The current playoff format guarantees spots to the top five conference champions. That means Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes (8-2, ACC champs, No. 13) get in ahead of Utah—even though Utah has one fewer loss and beat Miami head-to-head in 2024. And then there’s the Group of Five lifeline: Tulane Green Wave (8-2, No. 24) holds the automatic bid spot. Tulane’s quarterback? Jake Retzlaff, who started at BYU in 2023 before transferring. Talk about irony. Even more frustrating for Utah and BYU fans: Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-1, No. 5), who beat both teams this season, sit in the top five. And three two-loss teams—Oklahoma Sooners (No. 8), Notre Dame Fighting Irish (No. 9), and Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 10)—are ranked ahead of BYU, despite having two losses. The committee clearly values brand, schedule strength, and historical weight more than pure record.BYU Still Controls Its Destiny
Here’s the good news for BYU: they still control their own fate. Win the remaining two regular-season games and the Big 12 Championship GameDecember 6, 2025, and they’re in. No ifs, ands, or buts. That’s the narrative Sports Illustrated hammered home: “BYU has no margin for error—but they have a path.” The bad news? That path is narrow. Unlike Ohio State or Georgia, who can lose a game and still be considered, BYU can’t afford a slip. Not with Texas Tech in their rearview mirror and Oklahoma and Notre Dame breathing down their necks. And remember: BYU lost to Utah in Provo on October 24, 2025. That game still haunts their resume.Utah’s Tough Road
For the Utah Utes, it’s even tougher. They’re already behind BYU in the rankings. To jump them, Utah would need BYU to lose, and they’d need to win out—including a win over Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game. That’s a tall order. And even if they did, they’d still be behind Miami and Tulane for the automatic bids. The committee doesn’t seem to care that Utah beat BYU. It cares that Utah didn’t win the Big 12.
What’s Next?
The next rankings drop on November 25, 2025. That’s when the committee will react to results from games like Ohio State vs. Indiana and Texas A&M vs. Georgia. But for Utah and BYU, the focus is simple: win, win, win. The final playoff field will be announced on December 7, 2025, one day after the Big 12 Championship GameDecember 6, 2025. If BYU wins, they’ll be in. If they lose? The door slams shut. And if Utah wins but BYU wins too? The Cougars stay ahead. That’s the brutal math.Why This Matters
This isn’t just about two teams. It’s about the fairness of the system. The College Football Playoff claims to be merit-based. But when a 9-1 team from a Power Five conference gets passed over by an 8-2 team from a Group of Five conference—and a team with two losses from a traditional powerhouse—it raises questions. Is this about performance? Or pedigree? For BYU, a school that’s been fighting for respect since leaving the Mountain West, this is a chance to prove they belong among the elite. For Utah, it’s about proving they can compete at the highest level without the national spotlight. And for fans? It’s about hoping the system doesn’t break their hearts.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BYU ranked ahead of Utah despite losing to them?
The committee prioritizes overall season performance, strength of schedule, and recent results. While Utah beat BYU on October 24, 2025, BYU has since won five straight games against higher-ranked opponents, including a dominant 44-13 win over TCU. Utah’s two losses came to stronger teams, but their overall resume lacks the same momentum. The committee’s public statements suggest they weigh late-season performance more heavily than early-season results.
How can Tulane make the playoff ahead of BYU?
Tulane earned the automatic bid as the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion (American Athletic Conference). The playoff rules guarantee one spot for a Group of Five team if they finish in the top 12, regardless of record or conference strength. Even though BYU is ranked higher than Tulane (No. 11 vs. No. 24), the automatic bid takes precedence over ranking position. This rule was designed to reward conference champions, but it creates controversy when a 9-1 team misses out.
What does BYU need to make the playoff?
BYU must win their final two regular-season games and defeat Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game on December 6, 2025. A 12-1 record with a conference title would almost certainly push them into the top 12, even if teams like Oklahoma or Alabama win their conference games. The committee has indicated that a Power Five champion with one loss and a win over a top-5 team (like Texas Tech) is playoff-worthy.
Why are three two-loss teams ranked above BYU?
The committee values historical brand strength, strength of schedule, and perceived national relevance more than pure win-loss records. Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Alabama have all faced multiple top-10 opponents this season and have high-profile wins. BYU’s schedule, while improved, still lacks the same level of nationally televised marquee games. The committee’s bias toward traditional powerhouses remains evident—even if it contradicts the spirit of merit-based selection.
Could Utah still make the playoff without winning the Big 12?
It’s nearly impossible. Even if Utah wins out and finishes 10-2, they’d need BYU to lose twice and for Miami or Tulane to lose their conference championship. With the committee already favoring BYU in head-to-head comparisons, Utah would need a perfect storm of upsets and a dramatic drop in BYU’s ranking. The odds are less than 5%, according to ESPN’s playoff probability model as of November 18, 2025.
When will we know for sure if BYU or Utah made the playoff?
The final rankings will be announced on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN. That’s after the Big 12 Championship Game on December 6 and the other conference title games. The selection committee doesn’t re-seed the bracket after the first round, so the final rankings on December 7 determine everything—seedings, opponents, and locations. No more speculation after that.
