CFP committee is using the nature of BYU's 29-7 loss at Texas Tech to exclude the Cougs from at-large candidacy--and let's remember, we're talking about the No. 4 team in the country, on its home field, with a nationally elite defense (1st rushing D, 3rd scoring D, 6th total D).
A closer look inside the numbers from Nov. 8 shows many interesting things:
BYU had negative yardage on two of 12 drives.
Texas Tech had negative yardage on four of 13 drives.
BYU scored one TD on 12 possessions.
Tech scored two TDs on 13 possessions.
BYU punted six times.
Tech punted five times.
BYU: 3.9 yards per play (season average 6.1)
Tech: 4.9 yards per play (season average 6.5)
BYU had more sacks (4-1).
BYU had more possession time (30:35-29:25).
BYU had 14 first downs.
Tech had 17 first downs.
Tech's points, first downs and yardage totals against BYU were the lowest in any of their 11 wins.
Most significant stats:
BYU was -3 in turnover margin (only BYU game this season without a takeaway); Sitake-era BYU is 0-10 at -3 or worse in turnover margin.
BYU was -18 yards in average starting field position (second-worst number of the Sitake era), influenced by multiple early special teams miscues. In the first 20 minutes of the game, BYU had a 19-yard shanked punt, a muffed punt-return giveaway and a missed field goal.
BYU's defense was very good, but needed to make takeaway plays that were there to be made.
BYU's offense was challenged, and LJ Martin was not healthy. BYU made multiple pre-snap mistakes in front of a loud crowd.
BYU's special teams struggled.
BYU should expect improvement in all three areas on Saturday.
The loss in Lubbock was bad, but there was enough good to give hope of a positive outcome in Arlington.
Go Cougs!
Hello, good morning, happy Friday and a friendly reminder:
BYU has a better resume than both Notre Dame and Miami, and shouldn't need a win in the Big 12 title game to get into the playoff.
That's it. That's the tweet.
Enjoy your Friday