No. 11 BYU can play its way into the College Football Playoff with a win against No. 4 Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game. But it shouldn't have to come to that. The Cougars deserve a postseason spot, and it's absurd that it remains in question.

In the history of the College Football Playoff Rankings, 61 power-conference teams have finished the regular season 11-1 or better. Every one of them entered championship weekend ranked in the top 10. All but two were seventh or higher.

And then, inexplicably, there's BYU.

The Cougars put together a sensational season, reaching 11-1 and earning a spot in the Big 12 title game. They beat No. 15 Utah and went on the road to shock No. 18 Arizona . Yet they sit at No. 11, looking up at several two-loss teams.

In an era of bloated

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