Big 12 commish: CFP committee pays attention to 'logos vs. resumes'

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark isn't pleased that a Group of Five champion could qualify for a first-round bye in the 12-team playoff over his conference.

Boise State is currently No. 10 in the latest CFP rankings ahead of its Mountain West title game against UNLV on Friday. A win in the championship game would likely earn the Broncos a coveted first-round bye, which is awarded to the four highest-ranked conference champions. The Mountain West team could potentially earn a top-four seed at the expense of the winner of the Big 12 title game between No. 15 Arizona State and No. 16 Iowa State.

"The committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes … team logos and conference logos," Yormark said Wednesday, according to Arizona Sports' Damon Allred. "Strength of schedule should matter, and wins against Power 4 opponents should matter."

"In no way should a Group of Five champion be ranked above our champion," Yormark added.

Both Arizona State and Iowa State own a tougher strength of schedule than No. 10 Boise State, per The Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. The Big 12 commissioner stressed that his league members play nine conference games and another against a power conference opponent.

Yormark was adamant a three-loss conference champion shouldn't be ranked ahead of a two-loss Big 12 champion in the final rankings. No. 17 Clemson (9-3) could vault ahead with a win over No. 8 SMU in the ACC title game Saturday. He said the strength of schedule hasn't come into play as much as he thought it would.

The Big 12 could just receive one bid in the inaugural 12-team playoff field, with the champion being a road team in the first round in several bracket projections. The five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed a playoff spot regardless of where they're ranked.

While the Sun Devils and Cyclones remain on the outside looking in, Yormark is confident the committee will do right by the Big 12 in its final ranking after the dust settles Sunday.

"I do have trust in the committee that we'll land where we're supposed to land and that, ultimately, will mean we'll get a bye, which we're deserving of based on all the key metrics that should come into play," Yormark said.