It’s official — BYU will not be participating in the College Football Playoff.
Following their Big 12 championship game loss to Texas Tech, the Cougars have dropped to No. 12 in Sunday’s final CFP rankings as the second team out of the bracket.
Though Tulane and JMU were ranked behind BYU, they were the fourth- and fifth-highest ranked conference champions, respectively, thus boxing out the Cougars from the 12-team tournament field.
Two two-loss teams who did not play in conference championship games — Oklahoma and Miami — were ranked ahead of BYU.
Additionally, Alabama, who is 10-3 and lost the SEC title game Saturday, made it into the Playoff as well over BYU.
Had the Cougars defeated the Red Raiders Saturday, they would have secured an automatic CFP berth.
Two notable former BYU players who transferred out of Provo earlier this year will be in the Playoff: Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff and Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion.
BYU will now wait to hear its bowl destination, which will be announced Sunday afternoon.
