BYU Drops to No. 8 After 39-31 Double-OT Loss at UCF

Q: How will BYU’s shocking double-overtime collapse reshape the chaotic race for a College Football Playoff spot?

BYU’s loss did not end its playoff hopes, but it dramatically reduced its margin for error and made the Big 12’s path far messier. The immediate effect is on perception and positioning. BYU fell from No. 2 to No. 8 after losing 39-31 in double overtime at UCF, and the nature of the defeat matters: the Cougars were unbeaten, coming off a statement win over Notre Dame, then unraveled with penalties, missed assignments and late-game mistakes against an unranked team. That kind of loss is survivable in a 12-team field, but it usually removes any cushion. BYU now likely needs a strong finish and may need to reach, if not win, the Big 12 title game. The bigger shift is conference-wide. With BYU and Texas Tech both losing in the same week, the Big 12’s case for multiple CFP bids took a clear hit. Utah, now up to No. 6 and still unbeaten, looks like the league’s cleanest playoff profile. BYU remains viable because it still has a marquee win over Notre Dame, but the Cougars are no longer operating from near-lock status. Instead, they are back in a crowded at-large fight with teams such as Notre Dame, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and others from the SEC and Big Ten. What happens next is critical. If BYU beats quality opponents down the stretch, especially in a likely high-stakes game against Utah, it can repair its standing. But another loss probably pushes the Cougars out of at-large range and leaves the Big 12 relying mainly on its automatic bid rather than multiple playoff entries.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 25

No. 2 BYU fell six spots to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 after a 39-31 double-overtime loss at UCF, the biggest shake-up near the top of the Week 8 rankings.
That defeat lifted idle Ohio State to No. 2 behind No. 1 Miami and pushed Georgia to No. 3, while Notre Dame slipped to No. 5 despite not playing.
Utah made the biggest rise in the top 10, climbing from No. 10 to No. 6 after beating Houston 21-13; UCLA, Kentucky and Alabama rounded out spots 7 through 10.
Texas jumped from No. 19 to No. 11 after beating Ole Miss, which sits one spot back at No. 12, while Texas Tech slid from No. 8 to No. 13 after losing at Cincinnati.
Week 9 now features two ranked matchups: No. 22 Arizona at No. 13 Texas Tech and No. 17 Florida at No. 3 Georgia.