MWC Advocates for Ashton Jeanty, Boise State to get CFP Bracket Bye Over Big 12's ASU

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez is calling for the College Football Playoff selection committee to grant a first-round bye to Boise State instead of Arizona State.

Nevarez stated on Saturday night that CFP contention "should not be contingent upon a conference patch or the logo on the helmet."

"Boise State's body of work this season, including an 11-game win streak, has earned it one of the top four seeds ahead of the Big 12 champion," Nevarez wrote.

The Broncos, led by star running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty, defeated UNLV in the Mountain West championship game on Friday.

Arizona State is also campaigning for a top-four playoff seed after triumphing over Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday.

Boise State was listed at No. 10 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, ahead of both No. 15 Arizona State and No. 16 Iowa State.

ASU is a two-loss team, falling short of the Broncos' 12-1 record. But Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has previously stated he believes that his conference's champion should automatically receive a first-round bye over any champion from the Group of 5.

When speaking to reporters ahead of the Big 12 title game, Yormark said the selection committee is "paying attention to logos versus resumes," per Stephen Hawkins of the Associated Press.

"Strength of schedule should matter and wins against Power Four opponents should matter — 74 percent of the Big 12 wins were against Power Four opponents this season," Yormark said, per Hawkins. "Meanwhile, the Group of Five is 11-80."

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

The final CFP rankings will be announced on Sunday. Whichever teams receive a top-four seed will receive a first-round bye and an automatic trip to the playoff quarterfinals.

The Big Ten and SEC champions are set to earn the top two seeds, while the ACC, Big 12 and Mountain West winners will likely be competing for the final two spots at the top.

Arizona State had an overall harder strength of schedule, but had two losses, including one without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt. Boise State faced on average easier competition but lost its only game to No. 1 CFP ranked team Oregon.

The 12-team playoff and bowl game lineup will be announced during the selection show broadcasted on ESPN Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.