Yes, it was one of the Cougars’ best nights ever, as a rocking crowd at Lavell Edwards Stadium saw BYU get the W over rival Utah on Saturday.
But the good news wasn’t just limited to this weekend: As it stands, it looks like the 7-0 Cougars have a good chance of making the College Football Playoff.
ESPN’s projections put the Cougars in 11th in the newly expanded 12-team format.
“BYU would lock up a spot as the Big 12 champion, but if the Cougars can manage to stay undefeated until the conference title game, they would keep their hopes alive for earning an at-large bid as the Big 12 runner-up. The committee would consider how the title game unfolded, and if BYU lost a close game or in convincing fashion,” ESPN wrote.
Playoffstatus.com says the Cougars have a 61% chance of playing in the Big 12 championship game and a 50% chance of making the playoff — and if you want to dream further, a 6% chance at a national championship.
The Athletic is more pessimistic about BYU’s odds, giving the Cougars just a 15% chance to make the playoff. This model still projects three losses in BYU’s Big 12 future. The Athletic’s system ranks BYU 19th, even after the Utah win.
To the Cougars’ credit, they’re taking their schedule one game at a time. Multiple players noted that BYU followed up its big win against the Utes last year with a loss to Kansas. They’re not talking about the playoff yet.
Fans, though, can certainly dream now.