Uncovering the Hidden Stories of BYU Football in a Changing Landscape
ROAD WIN AT SMU
In September, when BYU won at SMU, few realized its significance in the College Football Playoff race. Games in September can often seem inconsequential, but this one turned out to be a game-changer. BYU's victory gave them a better resume than SMU, despite having the same number of losses. Yet, they finished at No. 17 in the rankings, while teams with more losses like Alabama and Ole Miss ranked higher. This disparity raises questions about the fairness of the playoff selection process.The fact that BYU's win over SMU wasn't a major discussion point after the playoff field was revealed shows how some aspects of college football are overlooked. It's a reminder that not all wins and losses are treated equally.BRAND BIAS
Let's be honest: if BYU played in a different conference like the Big Ten or SEC instead of the Big 12, would they have made the playoff? Brand identity clearly plays a role. Consider Indiana in the Big 12 instead of the Big Ten. Their 11-1 record with a relatively easy nonconference schedule might not have received the same respect. This "label on the soup can" issue persists in college football, where certain conferences get more or less deference. It's a clear imbalance that affects teams like BYU.SMU AT-LARGE BID
SMU didn't get in as a conference champion but as an at-large team after losing its conference title game. Yet, their 12-game body of work before the loss to Clemson wasn't better than BYU's. BYU won head-to-head on SMU's field and didn't have a high-end win to offset SMU's loss. The difference in their playoff rankings, with SMU at No. 11 and BYU at No. 17, is shocking. More people should be talking about this unfairness.BYU LOSSES
BYU did lose to a Kansas team that didn't make a bowl game. While it wasn't a great loss, Kansas wasn't a terrible team either. Their other loss was to Big 12 champion Arizona State. Comparing BYU and SMU, the biggest SMU argument is BYU's loss to Kansas. But a head-to-head win on the road should outweigh one loss. SMU needed more to merit inclusion over BYU.BYU VERSUS COLORADO, PART ONE
The question of why BYU and Colorado, two Big 12 teams, are playing in the Alamo Bowl due to Pac-12 bowl contracts is a valid one. And why is Colorado the former Pac-12 team chosen as BYU's opponent? It seems rather arbitrary. If BYU had played and beaten Colorado in the regular season, it could have changed their playoff prospects. This is a frustration that BYU fans have, and it highlights the need for better scheduling decisions.BYU VERSUS COLORADO, PART TWO
BYU football fans have every right to be upset about the Colorado bowl assignment. If BYU had played and beaten Colorado in the regular season, they likely would have been in a better position for a playoff berth. Instead, they finished at No. 17. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark needs to address this issue and find a solution. One possible solution is to have conference semifinal games.BIG 12 SOLUTION
In January, we proposed various ways for college football and its conferences to adjust to the 12-team playoff era. One idea is conference semifinal games. For the Big 12, this would involve removing one pre-scheduled game and having a semifinal round for the top four teams through the first eight league games. The rest of the teams would play a flex-scheduled ninth game. This would give teams like BYU and Colorado more opportunities to make a playoff run.ALTERNATE BIG 12 PLAN
If conference semifinals seem too complicated, the Big 12 could simply leave one late-season date open as a flex game. In the middle of the season, announce the matchups for these flexed games. BYU-Colorado would have been a natural matchup. By having a flex game on Nov. 30 instead of the teams playing against weaker opponents, they could have gained more exposure and improved their resumes. Flex games are an idea that non-SEC and non-Big Ten conferences should consider.ADJUST TO THE NEW ERA
College football conferences and commissioners need to adapt to the realities of the 12-team playoff era. Scheduling adjustments can maximize playoff opportunities and representation. It's time for innovation and for commissioners like Brett Yormark to take action. BYU's situation in 2024 shows the importance of these changes and the need to ensure fairness in the playoff selection process.Uncover Hidden Gems in Fantasy Football with ESPN
Next Man Up
The NFL is a "next man up" league, and your fantasy football league follows suit. During the draft, you acquire your team, but it's the moves you make during the season that determine your playoff fate. Every week, we identify players available in over 50% of ESPN leagues with increased value and recommend adding them to your roster.
For example, Sincere McCormick of the Las Vegas Raiders has solidified himself as the top running back with injuries to Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. He has 27 rushing attempts in the last two games, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. With upcoming matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints, he should be a top waiver wire priority.
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Every season, a few players emerge as playoff heroes. Tank Bigsby of the Jacksonville Jaguars has an easier schedule the rest of the way, with a soft matchup against the Jets, Raiders, and Titans. He's been productive this season, averaging 16.1 fantasy points when he has double-digit touches.
Next QB Up
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams has been on fire lately, scoring 18-plus fantasy points in five of his last seven games. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as his go-to receivers, he's thriving. He faces a 49ers defense in Week 15 that has allowed 19.0 QB fantasy points per game over the last three weeks.
Jameis Winston of the Cleveland Browns is a boom-or-bust option. Since the Browns' Week 10 bye, he's had two games with over 26 fantasy points and two with under 15. He faces the Chiefs, Bengals, and Dolphins to close out the fantasy season, giving him plenty of chances to play catch-up.
Next WR Up
Romeo Doubs of the Green Bay Packers missed the last two games due to a concussion but is likely to return in Week 15 against the Seahawks. Green Bay has a crowded receiving room, making it tough to decide which wideout to trust. The Packers' fantasy playoff schedule includes matchups with the Saints and Vikings, both of which allow a lot of WR fantasy points.
Cedric Tillman and Elijah Moore of the Cleveland Browns are also worth considering. Winston has been spreading the ball around, making both players intriguing options. Tillman missed the last two games due to a concussion but was productive earlier in the season. Moore has been productive when targeted, averaging 0.67 fantasy points per target.
Next TE Up
Pat Freiermuth of the Pittsburgh Steelers has stepped up in the passing game since their Week 9 bye, scoring 10-plus fantasy points in five straight games. However, he's seen four-plus targets in just two of those games. If you need a tight end, don't overlook Freiermuth as he faces the Ravens and Chiefs in Weeks 16 and 17.
Juwan Johnson of the New Orleans Saints is another option. The Saints are running low on receiving playmakers, and Johnson stepped up against the Giants. He faces the Packers and Raiders in Weeks 16 and 17, both of which rank among the top-10 most-generous defenses for TE fantasy points.
Unraveling the Future of Georgia Football's Roster
Transfer Portal Updates
The transfer portal has opened its doors, and Georgia is already seeing some of its players make moves. Freshman Nitro Tuggle became the latest wide receiver to enter the portal, leaving the Bulldogs with only seven active scholarship wide receivers. With Tuggle and Michael Jackson III now elsewhere, the wide receiver position is in a bind for the College Football Playoff. However, Georgia did sign five wide receivers in the 2025 recruiting cycle, led by top prospects CJ Wiley and Talyn Taylor. But with some players set to exhaust their eligibility and others having NFL draft decisions to make, the Bulldogs will need to be active in the transfer portal to boost their numbers at this position.
It's worth noting that the coach who recruited Tuggle, Bryan McClendon, was replaced by James Coley this offseason. Now, with Tuggle gone, Georgia only has two wide receivers on the roster that were signed by McClendon - Anthony Evans and Sacovie White. The transfer portal is a crucial avenue for the Bulldogs to address these roster gaps.
NFL Draft Decisions
Georgia has several players facing NFL draft decisions, and the deadline to enter the 2025 NFL Draft is Jan. 15, unless playing in the national championship game. Those in that game will have a special deadline on Jan. 24. Last year, Georgia had two players taken in the first round of the NFL draft, and no program has had more players taken in the last five NFL drafts than Georgia. The decisions of these players will have a significant impact on the team's future.
Among the players with draft decisions are offensive tackle Xavier Truss (exhausted eligibility), safety Dan Jackson (exhausted eligibility), outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss (exhausted eligibility), inside linebacker Smael Mondon (exhausted eligibility), defensive tackle Warren Brinson (exhausted eligibility), defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse (exhausted eligibility), wide receiver Colbie Young (exhausted eligibility), wide receiver Dominic Lovett (exhausted eligibility), tight end Benjamin Yurosek (exhausted eligibility), quarterback Carson Beck, wide receiver Arian Smith, offensive guard Tate Ratledge, offensive guard Dylan Fairchild, offensive guard Micah Morris, center Jared Wilson, defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, running back Trevor Etienne, tight end Oscar Delp, wide receiver Dillon Bell, defensive end Mykel Williams, linebacker Jalon Walker, cornerback Daylen Everette, and safety Malaki Starks.
Coaching Staff Changes
Georgia has also experienced coaching staff changes. Last offseason, four on-field assistants left the program. These changes can have an impact on the team's development and strategy. As coaching announcements are made, this section will be updated to keep fans informed.
Georgia's 2025 football season is shaping up to be a dynamic one, with transfer portal activity, NFL draft decisions, and coaching changes all playing a role. Stay tuned for the latest updates as the Bulldogs continue their journey.