CFP rankings list Utah third, Texas seventh and BYU ninth

BYU opened at No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings, below its No. 7 position in the AP poll despite beating Notre Dame. The committee appears to have discounted that win because Notre Dame was ranked No. 11, while weighing BYU’s earlier loss to UCF; two-loss Texas and Alabama also ranked ahead of the Cougars. BYU remains the second-highest-ranked Big 12 team, and its Saturday rivalry game against undefeated No. 3 Utah gives it an immediate opportunity to strengthen its playoff case. The committee’s rankings differ sharply from the AP poll, particularly in Notre Dame’s placement, and upcoming matchups could clarify the playoff picture.