‘Logos versus resumés’ Big 12 Commissioner bashes CFP Committee

ARLINGTON, — On Saturday No. 15 Arizona State (10-2) will face off against No. 16 Iowa State (10-2) in the Big 12 Championship Game. Both teams, despite their successful season, find themselves in what’s essentially a play-in game for the College Football Playoffs.

Under the new format, making its debut this season, the top four conference champions will get first-round byes. The next highest-ranked conference champion will be locked into the playoffs. The rest of the field will be formed by seven at-large bids, chosen by the CFP Committee.

Entering the 2024 season, many people believed the top four seeds with byes would all go to Power 4 conference champs. The Power 4 includes the Big 12, Big 10, ACC, and SEC. However, one week away from selection day and predicted Mountain West champ Boise State (11-1) is ranked five spots higher than any Big 12 team, at No. 10.

Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo (No. 4) is surrounded by his teammates celebrating a play during the Territorial Cup in Tucson on Nov. 30, 2024. Arizona State beat Arizona, advancing to the Big 12 Championship. (Photo by Sedona Levy/Sun Devil Daily)

If the Broncos take care of business this weekend against No. 20 UNLV (10-2), Boise State will have a first-round bye and be the fourth seed, barring a shocking change.

On Wednesday Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark voiced his dismay over the committee’s rankings.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark voices opinion on CFP Committee

“I’m a pretty transparent guy,” Yormark began. “The (CFP) committee continues to show time and time again, that they’re paying attention to logos versus resumés… and I say logos because they’re concentrating on team logos and conference logos.”

Ever since the CFP Rankings began being released, the Big 12 has found itself fighting an uphill battle. On Tuesday No. 15 Arizona State and No. 16 Iowa State were both below three 9-3 SEC teams: No. 11 Alabama, No. 13 Ole Miss, and No. 14 South Carolina.

“Strength of schedule should matter, and wins against Power 4 opponents, should matter,” Yormark continued. “74% of the Big 12’s wins were against Power 4 opponents this season. Meanwhile, the ‘Group of 5’ (G5) is 11-80… vs. Power 4 teams this season.”

Both Boise State and UNLV are members of the Mountain West, a G5 conference.

“And in no way, should a Group of 5 champion be ranked above our (Big 12) champion,” Yormark said emphatically over a Zoom call on Wednesday.

Boise State has only played one Power 4 opponent this season, losing to No. 1 Oregon by three early in the year.

“The committee clearly focuses on the wins and loss column,” Yormark said. “Going by that principle, no three-loss team from a Power 4 conference should get a bye over a two-loss champion from the Big 12.”

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