The Boise State football team landed at No. 12 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night, a sign of respect from a committee that often doesn’t give much credit to Group of 5 teams – especially in early rankings.
No. 12 is the highest Boise State – or any Mountain West team for that matter – has ever been ranked in the CFP Top 25.
The No. 12 ranking means two crazy scenarios are actually not crazy scenarios at all: the Broncos could earn a home game on The Blue in the first round if they finish as the No. 5 through No. 8 seed, and the Broncos could finish as the fourth-highest ranked champion (BYU is currently No. 9) and earn the No. 4 seed and a bye in the first round.
“Boise State is an impressive team,” CFP committee chair Warde Manuel told reporters on a conference call after the rankings were released. “They go to No. 1 Oregon at the beginning of the season and lose by three. Ashton Jeanty, I think he’s rushed for more yards against Oregon than anybody else in the country, if I have that correct. They’re just an impressive team.
“Their quarterback is really developed and been a strength of their team. Impressive win at UNLV. They’re a very good team. And their win against No. 21 Washington State. So the committee is very high on them as it relates to their performance. Their last win was by 32 points against San Diego State, so they’re just an impressive team all around.”
The CFP committee will release updated rankings each Tuesday night before the final rankings – and final 12-team playoff field – is unveiled on December 8th.
Boise State (7-1) hosts Nevada on Saturday at 6 p.m. on FOX.
