BYU COUGARS

BYU Moves Up To No. 13 In Second College Football Playoff Rankings

Dec 1, 2020, 5:21 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm

Kalani Sitake - BYU Football...

Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake comes off the field after his team’s 27-20 win over the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)

(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)

PROVO, Utah – The good news for BYU after the second College Football Playoff rankings is that the Cougars moved up. The bad news, they are still outside the threshold to qualify for a New Year’s Six bowl game.

BYU moved up one spot from No. 14 to No. 13 in the Playoff’s second set of rankings for the 2020 season. The committee was clearly not swayed by the numerous cries from national pundits stating that the Cougars were mistreated, receiving a No. 14 ranking in the initial poll.

BYU’s move up to No. 13 was courtesy of the upset Michigan State dealt to Northwestern. The Wildcats fell from No. 8 to No. 15 after suffering the shocking upset against Sparty.

This is the second time BYU has appeared in the College Football Playoff rankings in program history. The Playoff rankings began in 2014. Last week was the Cougars first-ever ranking inside the Playoff’s Top 25.

BYU is one of three teams this season is at 9-0 on the year, and a star quarterback leads them in Zach Wilson, who is in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy.

College Football Playoff Rankings

Week of December 1st, 2020

1. Alabama

2. Notre Dame

3. Clemson

4. Ohio State

5. Texas A&M

6. Florida

7. Cincinnati

8. Georgia

9. Iowa State

10. Miami

11. Oklahoma

12. Indiana

13. BYU

14. Northwestern

15. Oklahoma State

16. Wisconsin

17. North Carolina

18. Coastal Carolina

19. Iowa

20. USC

21. Marshall

22. Washington

23. Oregon

24. Tulsa

25. Louisiana

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.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.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

BYU Cougars

Kalani Sitake, BYU Football, Press Conference, Portland State Week...

Mitch Harper

Five Things We Learned From Kalani Sitake’s BYU/Portland State Presser

BYU's head ball coach sets the stage for the season opener.

5 hours ago

BYU football offers WR Rob Larson...

Brian Preece

BYU Football Offers Ryder Lyons’ Top Receiver On Recruiting Trail

The BYU Cougars have extended a scholarship offer to Folsom High School wide receiver Rob Larson. Larson is the top target of BYU quarterback commit Ryder Lyons.

13 hours ago

BYU Football, Captains, 2025 Season, Keanu Tanuvasa...

Mitch Harper

BYU Football Announces Captains For 2025 Season

The leadership council for BYU football in 2025 has been decided.

13 hours ago

Jonathan Kabeya, BYU Football, Undisclosed Injury...

Brian Preece

BYU CB Jonathan Kabeya Not Listed On Opening Week Depth Chart

The BYU Cougars are expected to be without the services of sophomore corner Jonathan Kabeya for the team's season-opener against Portland State.

17 hours ago

BYU Football Depth Chart, Portland State, Jack Kelly, Ace Kaufusi...

Mitch Harper

BYU Football Releases Depth Chart For Portland State Game

BYU's first depth chart of the 2025 season is out.

18 hours ago

BYU Football, Newcomers, 2025 Season, Keanu Tanuvasa, Kalani Sitake...

Brian Preece

Keanu Tanuvasa Is ‘Complete Package’ For BYU Football Defensive Line

BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa heads into the 2025 season seeking to solidify himself as one of the top defenders in the country.

19 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Phil Holland | Murray High School...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 1 – Phill Holland, Murray

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County.

two images of high school football players...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 1 – Cade Hadley & Jack Savage

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

kaneal sweetwyne tosses football...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 1 – Kaneal Sweetwyne

Our first honoree of the 2025 prep season is Skyridge High School quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Page was generated in 2.5589890480042