works. We all do that. But flip the scenario. You’re telling me once BYU is in the BIG12, gets pre-season love with several top 10 predictions, including one as high as 5, that you won’t consider them in the discussion for CFP provided they live up to that hype by seasons end? Of course you would, and rightly so.

Only a few teams have made the CFP starting outside the initial Top 10 (I think OU started at 19 or something). And IIRC no team has made the CFP starting lower than 9 in the initial CFP rankings. So yes, starting that high pre-season, and then actually living up to the hype on the field all season, including winning the CCG, makes them a contender. Far from a lock as I’ve already said, but certainly in the conversation.

Now if they fall on their face and get run off the field in Gainesville week 1 then game over, and rightly so. There’s no room for error for the PAC. They haven’t earned that yet, and maybe never will.