Kalani Sitake’s undefeated 8-0 and No. 8-ranked BYU Cougars head to Lubbock, Texas, this Saturday to face the 8-1 and No. 9-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. This is a massive game for many reasons and could determine which team appears in the Big 12 championship game. But beyond that, it could determine who makes the College Football Playoffs.
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And with a Top 10 road win on Saturday, BYU could nearly punch its ticket to the College Football Playoffs even if it doesn’t win the Big 12 title game.
The road to the CFP
If the Cougars emerge victorious this weekend, they will have an impeccable résumé at 9–0 with impressive victories over both Utah and Texas Tech. BYU critics will not be able to ask the question, “Well who have they beaten?”
The guaranteed way to make the CFP is to win the conference, and with a win this weekend BYU is poised to do just that.
The other way to make the CFP is via and at-large bid. If BYU can pull off a signature win this weekend against Texas Tech, their resume is going to look great. If the Cougars emerge victorious this weekend and lose one of their three final games, they enter the Big 12 championship game 11-1. Even if they lose in the Big 12 title game to a highly-ranked ranked Texas Tech or Utah (shudders at the thought), the Cougs strength of record could still land them in the Top 12 for the CFP.
But all of this conjecture is still looking pretty far into the future. There are still four football games left for the Cougars to play, and the biggest one will take place this weekend at Texas Tech.
One big win, and the Cougars just might just be in the College Football Playoffs.