Kirk Herbstreit: BYU To College Football Playoff Over Oregon, If Both Undefeated

PROVO, Utah – BYU and its undefeated record finds itself suddenly in the College Football Playoff conversation.

One of BYU’s biggest advocates on the national scene has been ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. Herbie made another strong statement about his support for BYU this week on College Football Playoff: Top 25.

My top 4 after WEEK 9
1-@AlabamaFTBL
2-@OhioStateFB
3-@ClemsonFB
4-@GeorgiaFootball
Next 2@NDFootball @BYUfootball

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 1, 2020

The hosts: Herbie, Rece Davis, Joey Galloway, David Pollack, and Jesse Palmer, discussed the Pac-12’s chances of making the Playoff as their season gets underway this weekend. Then the conversation shifted towards hypotheticals. Should an undefeated Oregon get in over BYU or even undefeated Cincinnati from the American Athletic Conference?

Kirk Herbstreit would pick BYU over Oregon and Cincinnati

For Herbstreit, he’s picking BYU in that scenario.

“Well, you know where I’m leaning on that debate,” Herbstreit said.

“BYU, right?” Davis replied.

Herbstreit followed up, “Yeah, and it has everything to do with their margin of victory. I mean, they’re beating people like a drum. I think it’s great you’re bringing up their strength of schedule because I think everyone just assumes they’re playing nobody. That’s only going to get stronger Friday night when they play Boise State on the road.”

Kirk Herbstreit would pick an undefeated #BYU for the @CFBPlayoff over an undefeated Oregon or Cincinnati.#BYUFootball @kslsports

📰: https://t.co/4drKULhCt4 pic.twitter.com/1maD01AwTO

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 4, 2020

An undefeated BYU getting into the College Football Playoff over an undefeated Pac-12 champion would be a massive victory for BYU, and it’s Football Independent status. Is it likely? A lot of football is left to be played, but Herbstreit is impressed with the Cougars.

“One day, people besides Rece and I are going to pay attention to the Cougars. One day, people are going to realize that [Zach] Wilson can throw it, they’re physical on both sides of the line, you guys watch that team with a “Y” on the helmet there, they’re not a bad ball club.”

David Pollack jokingly responded to Herbstreit, “You’re the only one watching them.”

ESPN’s Playoff Predictor currently gives BYU a 13.9 percent chance of making the Playoff. Paul Sabin, the Playoff Predictor creator, told KSL Sports those odds would jump to 26 percent if BYU defeats Boise State on Friday night.

The Playoff talk is growing for BYU. Making Friday night one of the biggest games in decades for the Cougar Football program.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.