Reggie Bush Pushes for BYU Football’s Spot in College Football Playoff
Reggie Bush Advocates for BYU Football’s Inclusion in College Football Playoff
PROVO, Utah – BYU football wrapped up the 2024 season with an impressive 11-2 record, but despite their strong performance, the Cougars were left out of the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation. One college football legend, however, believes they deserved a spot in the expanded 12-team bracket.
Former Heisman Trophy winner and USC standout Reggie Bush recently shared his thoughts on the CFP during an appearance on Reign of Troy Radio, a USC-focused podcast. Bush, a two-time national champion and College Football Hall of Famer, didn’t hold back when discussing BYU’s exclusion.
“The only team I thought got left out that should have been in there was BYU,” Bush said. “I thought BYU was a team that could have really made a run deep into the playoffs. We saw what they looked like in that bowl game. They looked great; they looked physically dominant.”
The Cougars capped their season with a dominant 36-14 victory over nationally-ranked Colorado in the Alamo Bowl, showcasing their potential to compete at the highest level. Earlier in the season, BYU climbed as high as No. 6 in the CFP rankings before stumbling in back-to-back games against Kansas and Arizona State. The latter, a 28-23 loss to the eventual Big 12 champion and CFP participant, proved costly in the eyes of the selection committee.
Despite finishing the season ranked No. 17 in the final CFP poll, BYU was overshadowed by four at-large teams ahead of them. Notably, three of those teams—Alabama, Miami, and South Carolina—went on to lose their bowl games, raising questions about the committee’s decision-making process.
Bush emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach to selecting playoff teams, particularly for programs like BYU that demonstrate strength but fall short of winning their conference.
“I don’t know what the fix is to that yet,” Bush said. “But I would definitely love to see there be some focus and inclusion of teams that are really strong, even if they don’t win their conference. We just want to make sure that they’re always delivering a great product on TV because that’s what fans want to see. They want to see good games, and I thought we saw that this season.”
Bush, who faced BYU twice during his storied career at USC, knows firsthand the caliber of competition the Cougars bring to the field. His advocacy for BYU’s inclusion highlights the ongoing debate about how to balance conference championships, strength of schedule, and overall team performance in the playoff selection process.
As the 2024-25 College Football Playoff concludes with No. 8 Ohio State facing No. 7 Notre Dame in the national championship, Bush’s comments serve as a reminder of the challenges and controversies inherent in determining which teams deserve a shot at college football’s ultimate prize.
For BYU, the 2024 season was a testament to their growth and potential. While they may have been overlooked this time, their performance has undoubtedly sparked conversations about their place in the future of the playoff landscape.
YU had a strong case. They finished wiht an 11-2 record,played a tough schedule,and showed they could compete with anyone. When you look at their body of work, it’s hard to argue they didn’t belong in the conversation for the expanded playoff.”
Bush’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about fairness and depiction in college football’s postseason. As the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams, the inclusion of programs like BYU—teams that consistently perform at a high level but may not always receive the recognition they deserve—becomes even more critical.The Cougars’ 2024 season was a testament to their resilience, talent, and ability to compete on a national stage.
While the playoff committee’s decisions will always be subject to scrutiny, voices like Reggie Bush’s remind us of the importance of giving deserving teams a chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage. BYU’s exclusion this year may serve as a rallying cry for the program and its supporters,fueling their determination to break through in future seasons. As college football continues to evolve, the hope is that the expanded playoff format will create more opportunities for teams like BYU to showcase their potential and cement their place among the nation’s elite.
For now, the Cougars can take pride in a remarkable season and use it as a foundation for even greater success. With advocates like Reggie Bush in their corner, BYU’s future in the College Football Playoff conversation looks brighter than ever.
Conclusion
Reggie Bush’s advocacy for BYU football’s inclusion in the College Football Playoff underscores a broader conversation about fairness, portrayal, and the evolving landscape of college football. The Cougars’ 11-2 record, capped by a commanding Alamo Bowl victory, demonstrated their ability to compete with the nation’s elite programs. Yet, their exclusion from the expanded 12-team playoff highlights lingering challenges in the selection process, particularly for non-conference champions with strong resumes.
As the CFP continues to grow and adapt, voices like bush’s serve as a reminder that the system must prioritize not only conference supremacy but also the strength and potential of individual teams. BYU’s 2024 season was a testament to their resilience and talent, and their omission raises valid questions about how the committee evaluates at-large candidates. Moving forward, a more inclusive approach could ensure that deserving teams like BYU are given the opportunity to prove themselves on the national stage, delivering the high-quality matchups that fans crave and elevating the sport as a whole.
For now, BYU’s performance has solidified their place among college football’s top programs, and with continued success, their case for playoff inclusion will only grow stronger. As the sport evolves,the hope is that the system will evolve with it,ensuring that every team with the talent and determination to compete for a championship gets its shot.