STWF Sports | Dec. 7, 2025 – The College Football Playoff field is set, but the outrage hasn’t faded. Alabama and Miami locked in the final at-large berths, Notre Dame was left out, and BYU—ranked 12th in the AP Poll—was denied entry entirely. That last exclusion, in particular, has sent Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy into full-scale revolt.

The always outspoken media personality wasn’t angry because he’s a Fighting Irish loyalist—far from it. His frustration stemmed from the fact that a BYU team he publicly backed was punished for qualifying for and losing a conference title game, while Alabama, who suffered the same fate, sailed in unharmed.

Portnoy took to X with a proposal drastic enough to send shockwaves through the college football ecosystem: eliminate the College Football Playoff Selection Committee altogether and simply take the top 12 teams from the AP Poll.

The Final Rankings Ignite Controversy

In the final CFP standings, Notre Dame slipped out, BYU was excluded, and Alabama held firm. Powerful SEC commissioner Greg Sankey didn’t secure a historic seven bids for his league, but Alabama’s inclusion still bolstered the conference’s reputation.

Notre Dame fans cried foul; others shrugged. But Portnoy, who had latched onto BYU as his postseason dark-horse once it became evident Michigan wouldn’t qualify, erupted.

Portnoy had wagered over $50,000 on the Cougars to win both the Big 12 and the national championship. BYU was routed by Texas Tech 34–7 in the conference title game, a loss that destroyed their chances.

“You Should Not Be Penalized for Earning the Right to Play”

Before the final rankings were revealed, Portnoy voiced one of the central frustrations facing the CFP era: playing in a conference championship game can actually harm a team’s playoff odds more than missing one entirely.

His take was blunt, but not without logic.

“You 100% should not be penalized for earning the right to play an extra championship game,” Portnoy posted. “It’s so dumb. You reward teams who had inferior season. Once the regular season ends that should be it.”

His argument: BYU, like Alabama, lost to elite competition—but only BYU was punished. Alabama, even with their SEC Championship loss to powerhouse Georgia, stayed in the field. BYU, despite being No. 12 in the AP Poll, got no benefit of the doubt.

“Conference title game doesn’t matter for Bama, just BYU,” Portnoy added. “We knew it wouldn’t make sense—and it doesn’t make sense.”

Portnoy’s Solution: Scrap the Committee Entirely

In Portnoy’s proposed system, the CFP would take the top 12 ranked teams from the AP Poll—no deliberations, no “eye test,” no subjectivity.

Under that format, BYU would be playing postseason football right now instead of preparing to watch from home.

That idea directly challenges the current model, which places 13 individuals in a room to debate—and sometimes controversially justify—each postseason bid. It also immediately removes complex metrics such as game control, strength-of-schedule emphasis, and injury consideration.

The simplicity of Portnoy’s suggestion appeals to fans who believe the committee too often favors brand power, television appeal, or conference politics over merit.

Notre Dame Also a Loser—But Portnoy Says He Has No Sympathy

Notre Dame, ranked No. 8 heading into the final weekend, lost a chance to clear-cut their own path when they fell short late in the year. Portnoy wasn’t throwing lifelines to anyone wearing gold helmets.

“I have no sympathy for ND. Join a conference bro,” he posted.

Was Portnoy Right? College Football’s Debate Is Far From Over

Ultimately, Alabama is in, Miami is in, Notre Dame is out, and BYU—perhaps the most surprising exclusion—is the tipping point for renewed debate over playoff access, fairness, and the value of conference championship games.

For now, Portnoy’s proposal is merely digital outrage—but it has undoubtedly given voice to thousands who are questioning whether the committee system is still workable in an expanded 12-team era.

Because for BYU, the debate is over. Their playoff dreams died in Lubbock. Their resume earned respect from the AP poll. But the playoff committee never gave them a chance.