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BYU Football: Different scenarios for a 12 team playoff

By Adam Gibby

BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 6: Running back Andrew Van Buren #21 of the Boise State Broncos breaks through the BYU Cougars' defensive line during first half action at Albertsons Stadium on November 6, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 6: Running back Andrew Van Buren #21 of the Boise State Broncos breaks through the BYU Cougars' defensive line during first half action at Albertsons Stadium on November 6, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to take the snap from Chris Owens #79 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to take the snap from Chris Owens #79 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

Qualifiers Everywhere

This is a crazy model that I don’t think has been looked into, but what if every single conference champion got a seat at the table, sort of like in college basketball? In total there are ten conferences which would also leave the door open for two “at-large” teams.

These two teams would almost certainly be one loss teams that either lost in their Conference Championship or didn’t make it to the Championship because of another loss (Texas A&M loses to Alabama, goes 11-1, but Alabama goes 12-0 taking that spot).

The biggest issue with this model is that it would make  nonconference games less interesting because they just wouldn’t mean that much. With only two spots up for at-large positions, all the focus would be put in winning the Conference Championship Game.

What this means for BYU

BYU would join a conference. I think that the Cougars likely join the Mountain West again and start competing for Mountain West Championships. This model would certainly give BYU a great chance every year to get into the Playoff, however it would also mean that the entire Independence era was sort of pointless in a way. Nobody likes to leave for better opportunities just to come back, but that is likely what would happen here.

Sure BYU may get an invite for the AAC or Big 12, but if the ultimate goal is to make the Playoff and compete for National Championships, why would they want Oklahoma, Texas, UCF or Cincinnati in the way when it could just be Boise State and San Jose State? (Yes, I know recruiting and prestige would make a difference, but I’m not getting into that).

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What do you think? Do you think that 12 teams is too big for the Playoff? Does it even matter for BYU Football? Let us know in the comments!

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