Big 12 fans saw the first College Football Playoff rankings released last Tuesday and there was the dream scenario of the league landing three teams into the CFP. It was always a long shot, and it became more of a long shot after Week 11 wrapped up. Here’s why.
Texas Tech dominating BYU was great for Tech, and now puts them in the driver’s seat of the Big 12 race. But the margin of victory does not bode well for BYU, if they want to get into the Playoff without winning the conference. Had BYU lost a close game, there was a better chance the committee would look favorably upon it, but instead, the blowout was good for Tech, but not so good for the Cougars.
And as a result, that’s not great news for two-loss Utah, who is hoping to win out and back its way into a Big 12 Championship Game, and if not, an at-large bid to the Playoff. But Utah having a loss to BYU doesn’t help their cause after the way Saturday’s BYU-Texas Tech game played out.
Now, around the rest of the country, we didn’t get the chaos we would need to try and see three Big 12 teams get into the CFP. Iowa almost helped out, but the Oregon Ducks walked off with an 18-16 win over the Hawkeyes. Meantime, Notre Dame crushed Navy 49-10, while Oklahoma and Texas had the weekend off.
If you’re looking for the bright spot, No. 14 Virginia lost to Wake Forest. But at this point, the ACC is such a jumbled mess, it seems almost impossible they get more than one bid with the league’s champion getting in.
Now, there is still time for the Big 12. Texas losing to Georgia and A&M would help, along with Oklahoma vs. Alabama next week. Also, Notre Dame is in the way of the Big 12 getting three teams in. The Irish play at No. 24 Pittsburgh next week. All Big 12 fans should be Panthers fans next weekend.
So while it’s still possible, and of course there are plenty of scenarios outside of Tech, BYU and Utah, I’m highlighting those three for now, because it’s the most likely trio, Week 11 did not cooperate for the Big 12 and its dream to get three teams into the College Football Playoff. Now it’s onto Week 12.
