BYU football has been a topic of great interest in the college football world. Here, we delve deep into the various aspects surrounding BYU's journey and the issues it has faced.

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.