Week 11 featured a matchup with two Big 12 teams in the top 10 following the first rankings release by the College Football Playoff selection committee on Tuesday.
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On Saturday, No. 7 BYU traveled to Lubbock to take on No.8 Texas Tech. The Cougars had a small margin for error to make the CFP entering Week 11, as the program started the season 8-0. BYU could lose, but a lopsided loss would have major consequences.
TTU desperately needed the win to stay in the Big 12 championship race, as the Red Raiders lost to Arizona State on Oct. 18.
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Texas Tech’s defense stifled the Cougars offense right out of the gates. TTU secured a 13-0 lead at halftime.
BYU managed to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to mount a comeback as the Red Raiders earned a 29-7 win in front of a crowd of 60,229 at AT&T Jones Stadium.
TTU dominated the contest, outgaining the Cougars in total yards 368-255. The Red Raiders won the turnover battle 3-0.
BYU missed an opportunity to make a statement to the selection committee, and the blowout loss could make it hard for the Big 12 program to make the CFP, even if it wins out. Despite the No. 7 ranking, BYU was not receiving much respect nationally, as Texas Tech was favored by 10.5 points, per ESPN BET.
The Cougars’ schedule had been favorable up until Saturday, as their best win came in a tight 24-21 contest over then-No. 23 Utah on Oct. 18. BYU showed signs of flaws before, as the program narrowly defeated a bad Colorado team 24-21 on Sept. 27.
Following the loss to Texas Tech, fans on social media labeled the Cougars as “frauds.”
“I knew BYU were frauds,” posted a fan.
“BYU was absolutely embarrassed today and exposed as total frauds. Sad but true,” wrote a fan.
“If this is how BYU plays against the only good team they’ve played all year then I think it’s safe to say BYU is pretty mid,” posted another. “What an absolute embarrassment of a game. They belong nowhere near the playoffs. They got exposed as major frauds today. Absolutely embarrassing.”
“BYU are frauds I knew it all along,” argued a fan.
“BYU plays no one all year.. finally plays a good team outside of Utah and gets exposed as usual. FRAUDS,” wrote a fan.
“8th ranked team BYU is about to get shut out by Texas Tech defense… frauds should be unranked after this match… total embarrassment,” posted another.
BYU has a favorable schedule for the remainder of the regular season, facing no ranked opponents. The Cougars will host TCU in Week 12 before finishing against Cincinnati and UCF.
BYU’s best chance to make the CFP will be to win those three games and hope it makes and wins the Big 12 championship.
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