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Share on Pinterest A recent survey found that a surprising number of healthcare professionals mistakenly believe people living with obesity can reach a healthy weight if they simply try hard enough. Dima Berlin/Getty ImagesNew research finds that bias about the root cause of obesity affects how healthcare professionals recommend treatment for people who are living with this chronic disease.Results from a survey showed that 58% of providers believe that obesity is mainly due to lifestyle choices, and 43% believe that those living with obesity can reach a healthy weight if they only try hard enough.Health experts say these biases are dangerous as they discount the fact that causes for obesity can vary widely and treatment needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure the best results.

When it comes to treating obesity, our growing medical understanding of the condition has shifted approaches to treatment as well as the larger cultural understanding of what it means to be living with obesity.

For the more than 2 in 5 American adults who live with the condition, this also involves pushing against stigma and misinformation that can accompany discussions about the chronic disease.

Now, new data released by Eli Lilly and Company that looks at prevailing barriers that might stand in the way of normalizing and prescribing anti-obesity medications, speaks to larger issues of how many providers might discount genetics and factors that remain out of peoples control when they diagnose and treat the condition.

Often, cultural biases that often infuse our understanding of obesity can paint the condition as one that results mainly from lifestyle factors more than anything else.

How might this affect the treatment that people receive for obesity?

Healthline spoke with experts who put all of this in context and explained how issues around the treatment for obesity are nuanced and vary case by case, person by person. What the data highlights about attitudes toward obesity

The data from Eli Lilly comes from the OBSERVE study, conducted in collaboration between the pharmaceutical company, Cerner Enviza, and leading opinion leaders and researchers in the field.

It aimed to look at the factors that might illustrate where we are today in the prescription and adoption of medications to treat obesity. It also sheds a brighter light on current attitudes and provides a look at how the condition is often approached in medical settings.

Among those included in the study were people living with obesity, healthcare providers, and even employers.

The latest data from this study focused on healthcare providers perceptions. It was presented in May at the 2023 AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Meeting in Seattle.

The findings revealed a striking snapshot of provider attitudes toward treating the condition.

The survey showed that 58% of surveyed providers believe that obesity is mainly due to lifestyle choices, 43% believe that those living with obesity can reach a healthy weight if they only try hard enough, 24% reported they believed most patients with obesity are metabolically healthy even though they are carrying extra weight, and 67% think people with obesity should be required to demonstrate motivation to make lifestyle changes before medical treatment is offered.

Study co-author Dr. Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer at medically-assisted weight care program, Found, and practicing endocrinologist in New York City, said the figure that shows 43% of providers believe patients with obesity can generally achieve and maintain a healthy weight if they only tried enough was particularly surprising to her.

The science has been clear for a long time that biology plays a critical role in someones ability to lose and maintain weight loss, and for many people struggling with overweight and obesity, lifestyle changes are often not enough, Kumar told Healthline. The belief that someone cant achieve a healthy weight, it means they are a failure or lack willpower is what continues to stigmatize patients with obesity, and prevent them from seeking and getting the medical care they deserve and need.

When asked just how big of a challenge it is for people living with obesity to simply lose weight and then maintain that weight loss, Dr. Diana Thiara, medical director of UCSF Weight Management Clinic and UCSF assistant clinical professor, told Healthline that its important to note that obesity is a chronic disease that requires long-term management.

Its incredibly hard to lose weight and keep it off in the long run. We know that some people are able to sustain large amounts of weight loss for many years things like the national weight control registry have examined this these participants had lower rates of adverse behavior change, said Thiara, who is unaffiliated with the study. We need to work with our patients, continuously, for the long term, to help them achieve and maintain weight loss.

The other thing is that we need to accept and be okay with the fact that people with obesity will have moments of hardship and relapse throughout their lives. We should help them through these times, she added.

In examining the fact that 58% of these respondents think obesity is due to lifestyle choices, Thiara added that this is an overly simplistic view of the chronic disease. She stressed that this is a complex condition, and we dont fully understand etiology.

We do know that there are certain genes that are more prevalent in individuals with obesity. The thought, however, is more that its a combination of having those genes plus living in an obesogenic environment or calorie-dense/unhealthy foods in combination with sedentary lifestyles, Thiara explained. Additionally, there is data suggesting there is correlation between obesity and infection with certain viruses, specifically a few strains of adenovirus.

Thiara added that our evolving understanding of the gut microbiome at least in studies of animals reveals that it plays a role in lean versus obese phenotypes in mice, for example.

We are still trying to understand the role of the microbiome and weight in humans, and I hope we learn more from scientists who are actively studying this. Now, why is this a pervasive view? Obesity bias is incredibly prevalent in society, and medical providers are included here, she said. Studies have shown this repeatedly, and this includes all types of providers from nurses to doctors. Obesity bias is a big problem in the medical field. I think this bias makes us blame patients for having excess weight.How to combat entrenched biases going forward

Pushing against some of these entrenched views of obesity can be hard.

Kumar said the idea that lifestyle choices above all else are the main factor affecting obesity obscures the very nuanced reality of all of the factors and moving parts that are coming into play with this health issue.

It fails to take into account that the presence of this disease varies widely between individuals.

For some people, lifestyle changes may very well be effective at both losing weight and then maintaining a healthy weight. Seeing this work in some people can sometimes paint a very incomplete picture that providers then take as the norm.

The truth is that weight loss is only successful long term for a very select amount of people and does not accurately reflect what most people experience a daily struggle to lose weight or keep it off after losing it, Kumar said. As providers, we have been trained to focus on chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease. Being overweight or obese is still being viewed as [a] lifestyle/wellness issue, even though the American Medical Association recognized obesity as a chronic disease 10 years ago.

This means data like this can result in a call to action of sorts.

Its time we start treating obesity like every other chronic disease. That starts with acknowledging that there are biological factors working against most people on their journey to lose weight, and until those biologcal factors are addressed, long-term weight loss is not likely to be successful, Kumar added. Why doctors might overlook obesity as a major concern

Obesity advocacy groups think a lot about ways to fight against these biases.

The Obestiy Action Coalition (OAC) is a nonprofit that offers a voice and platform to Americans nationwide who are affected by the condition.

Former OAC board member Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, founded ConscienHealth in 2009 in order to assist organizations and experts to move toward evidence-based approaches to obesity and achieving overall health.

Kyle, who is unaffiliated with the OBSERVE study, told Healthline that the scientific understanding of obesity has changed a great deal over the past decade.

For people who devote their careers to the study and clinical care for obesity, this new knowledge is no big deal. But for average clinicians, its mind-boggling because they did not learn about this in medical school, he said.

In pushing against those medical biases that suggest all one needs to do is just exercise more or adopt a new diet of some kind and it will be very easy to do so, Kyle said this is a perspective that is mostly false.

Obesity is the result of genetic susceptibility triggered by a wide range of environmental factors the food supply, barriers to physical activity, stressors, and drugs and chemicals that cause weight gain. Lifestyle choices can help a person cope, but they are not the most common trigger for this disease, Kyle said. The narrative is entrenched because most providers get their understanding of obesity from false narratives prevalent in popular culture, rather than from medical education by people who understand this disease.

For her part, Thiara said that obesity bias can create a negative domino effect that feeds a lack of understanding of the disease, a lack of interest in learning how to treat it, and not enough focus on obesity in medical education.

In medical training, why might obesity be overlooked?

First, there is the prevalence of bias that tells people they should be able to overcome obesity through sheer force of will. Second, there is the longstanding lack of effective options for treatment other than metabolic and bariatric surgery. Third is the exclusion of coverage for science-based obesity care by most health plans, Kyle said. How to find appropriate health care for obesity

When asked what treatments she would prescribe to a person who comes to her who has obesity, Thiara said lifestyle change is certainly foundational to work with weight management. This is because patients need to also be working on lifestyle changes so they are able to maintain weight loss in the long run.

Beyond lifestyle change, more intensive options like medications or surgery really depend on the individuals comorbidities and health status, their overall goals, and their personal preferences, Thiara added. We know that medications for weight loss and surgical options will achieve, on average, more weight loss than lifestyle intervention. However, they also have side effects. We need to have conversations with our patients to decide together what are the best steps for patients.

She also said that if you have obesity and are looking for health care that makes the most sense for you, the first step is to possibly find a team a primary care provider, yes, but also potentially a nutritionist or a behavioralist.

For some patients, this is an adequate combination. In an ideal world, patients with obesity would be referred to specialty weight management programs and get comprehensive inter-professional care and/or bariatric surgery programs depending on a patients interest in procedural intervention, Thiara said.

Kumar said that whether you should be focusing on lifestyle modifications, new medications, surgery, or other forms of treatment, it all depends on what a provider who specializes in obesity determines makes the most sense for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Its also important to note that while medispas and certain physicians may liberally prescribe medications like Ozempic these days to people who dont meet the criteria for it. Thats not only irresponsible, but it also may not be the safest, most effective option. Thats something you should keep in mind before requesting it from your doctor, Kumar stressed.

She pointed to Found, where she serves as chief medical officer. This is a weight management program that combines biology and behavioral change as an example of an integrated, personalized approach.

What if you are seeking care, but come in contact with a provider who exhibits some of the aforementioned toxic views on obesity the study highlighted?

Kyle said it can be a challenge to find a provider who is well-versed in obesity and the kind of treatment that might be right for you.

Yes this can be a challenge, he said. The best bet is to look for a provider who is board-certified in obesity medicine.

He pointed to the American Board of Obesity Medicine as one option here.

Kumar said if you come across a provider who is giving outdated guidance for weight loss, you should seek another who specializes in treating obesity as a chronic disease.

As with seeking care for any chronic condition, do your research, and look for a provider who specializes in a field that best applies to you.

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Search for suspects after ‘pepper spray assault’ at Heathrow Airport

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December 7, 2025

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Search for suspects after 'pepper spray assault' at Heathrow Airport

Police are investigating after a “number of people” were believed to have been attacked with pepper spray by a group of men who then fled.

Officers were called at 8.11am to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.

A statement by the force said: “A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene.”

What we know so far
• Several assaulted with ‘pepper spray’
• One arrest – police hunt for more suspects
• Incident said to involve people known to each other
• Incident not being treated as terrorism
• 21 people treated by ambulance service – five taken to hospital
• Injuries not believed to be life-threatening
• Traffic disruption reported – but train lines since reopened

Live updates on Heathrow incident

Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
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Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved

Armed police attended and one man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.

Police are not treating the Heathrow incident as terrorism.

More on Heathrow Airport

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London Ambulance Service also attended the scene and treated 21 people, including five who were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

There is currently some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.

Increased police presence

Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.

“Our officers responded quickly and there will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning, to continue enquiries and ensure the safety of those in the area.

“We are not treating this incident as terrorism. I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning.”

A person is detained at the airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
Image:
A person is detained at the airport. Pic: @_umarjaved

‘Significant incident’

The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared.

There was a “full deployment” of resources and the ambulance service is treating it as ongoing.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.14am today to assist emergency service colleagues at an incident near Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport. Firefighters remain at the scene.”

Heathrow is advising passengers to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries.

There was disruption to train and Tube services, with some delays on the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line.

National Rail said on its website that lines had been reopened allowing trains to call at Heathrow “following the emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport”.

It said: “Although lines have now reopened, disruption is expected to continue whilst services return to normal, delays of up to 10 minutes and cancellations can be expected until 11.45am.”

National Highways East said on X: “A serious incident within the @HeathrowAirport Tunnel has resulted in the closure of the #M4 spur road southbound between M4 and J4A.

“@metpoliceuk responding. We’ll keep you updated.”

It later said: “Incident has been resolved and all closures lifted on the #M4 southbound @HeathrowAirport spur road between #M4 and J4A.”

People on social media have reported vehicles were being searched at the airport.

A user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.

In footage on X, several armed police were seen in a car park.

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Sports

Hicks, ex-owner of Rangers and Stars, dies at 79

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5 hours ago

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December 7, 2025

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Hicks, ex-owner of Rangers and Stars, dies at 79

  • Associated Press

Dec 7, 2025, 02:44 AM ET

DALLAS — Tom Hicks, the Texas businessman and philanthropist who owned two Dallas-area professional sports franchises and an English Premier League soccer team, died Saturday. He was 79.

Spokesperson Lisa LeMaster said in statement that Hicks died peacefully in Dallas surrounded by family.

Hicks owned the NHL’s Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2011, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999. He also owned baseball’s Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010, leading them to three American West Division titles and a World Series appearance. In 2007, he acquired a 50% stake in Liverpool.

“Being shoulder to shoulder with him was always about more than ballparks and stadiums, though,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “It was about personal respect, trust and friendship. We shared a lot of miles together, and I’ll miss him greatly. My heart goes out to his family.”

Hicks co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and helped reshape private equity and investing strategy. He served on the University of Texas’s board of regents from 1994 to 1999.

“Tom Hicks was an innovative businessman and a pioneer in private equity,” fellow Texas businessman Ross Perot Jr. said in a statement. “He combined his commitment to business and sports through his ownership of the Stars and the Rangers.”

Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, and his six children — Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks and Catherine Forgrave Hicks.

His children released a joint statement, saying:

“Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’s most cherished title was, ‘Dad.’ No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family. He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are deeply honored to continue expanding his legacy. Although we are devastated by this loss, we are profoundly grateful to have been his children.”

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Sports

Projecting the final CFP top 12: Where does Alabama land?

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6 hours ago

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December 7, 2025

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Projecting the final CFP top 12: Where does Alabama land?

Someone is going to be upset — and it’s not just ACC champion Duke, which likely will be excluded from the playoff in favor of Sun Belt champion James Madison.

It might be the entire ACC that is fuming.

With Alabama losing to Georgia in the SEC championship game, the College Football Playoff selection committee’s biggest decision Saturday night will be how far to drop the Tide — and the result could mean the difference for Miami’s playoff hopes. The focus of the final ranking on Selection Day (Noon ET, ESPN) will be where it has been all season — on Notre Dame, Alabama and Miami.

Will the three-loss Tide earn the committee’s final at-large bid as the SEC runner-up? Or will Alabama’s poor performance against Georgia open the door for Notre Dame and Miami to finish in the top 10?

Here’s our prediction for what the committee might do in its sixth and final ranking on Selection Day.

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Ranking | Bracket

Projecting the top 12

Why they could be here: The Big Ten champions are the only undefeated team left in the country, and they earned the best win of the season by defeating the committee’s No. 1 team, Ohio State. The Hoosiers entered Saturday ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s strength of record metric, No. 1 in total efficiency and No. 4 in game control — and that was before they beat Ohio State.

Why they could be lower: This isn’t a realistic scenario.

Need to know: Indiana won its first Big Ten title since 1967 (shared with Minnesota and Purdue) and its first outright Big Ten title since 1945.

Why they could be here: The Buckeyes have arguably the best loss of the season — to the committee’s No. 2 team — and it was a close game that went down to the wire. Ohio State still has two wins against CFP top-25 teams in Texas and Michigan, and the committee has been impressed all season with the Buckeyes’ talent and consistent dominance.

Why they could be lower: Without the win against the Hoosiers, Ohio State’s best win is a close home game against Texas — a team that Georgia hammered 35-10. Georgia and Texas Tech also have multiple wins against CFP top-25 opponents. Ohio State’s strength of schedule was ranked No. 46 entering Saturday, while Georgia was No. 25.

Need to know: Even if the committee drops Ohio State lower, it’s highly unlikely the Buckeyes fall out of the top four. They still have a strong case for a first-round bye as the Big Ten runner-up.

Why they could be here: The SEC champs avenged their regular-season loss to Alabama, and they did it in resounding fashion. The Bulldogs’ lone loss to the Tide is better than Texas Tech’s loss to Arizona, even though the committee knows the Red Raiders were without their starting quarterback in that game. Nobody has a better loss, though, than Ohio State, the Big Ten runner-up. Indiana and Ohio State entered Saturday ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in ESPN’s strength of record metric, and playing each other in the Big Ten title game will only boost that. Georgia also has a convincing victory against Texas, which should still be the committee’s No. 13 team. Wins against Tennessee, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech helped the Bulldogs to a top-five strength of record entering Saturday.

Why they could be higher: The committee might drop Ohio State to No. 3 because its strength of schedule is lower, and because of the common opponent in Texas. Georgia beat Texas 35-10, while Ohio State beat the Longhorns 14-7 in the season opener. Some committee members could believe Georgia has a stronger overall résumé.

Need to know: The Bulldogs’ 28-7 SEC title game win was Georgia’s largest margin of victory over Alabama since 1976 (won 21-0).

Why they could be here: The Red Raiders dominated BYU for a second time this season, clinching a top-four finish and a first-round bye as the Big 12 champs. The committee has been impressed by how consistently they’ve owned the margin of victory this season, ranking No. 2 in the country in points margin per game (31.5) and No. 1 in points margin (410) entering Saturday. The Red Raiders’ defense, particularly up front, has also separated Texas Tech from other one-loss contenders. The committee has considered all season that Texas Tech’s lone loss came Oct. 18 at Arizona State when Red Raiders starting quarterback Behren Morton was injured.

Why they could be higher: Texas Tech entered Saturday No. 3 in total efficiency — behind Indiana and Ohio State. Georgia was No. 11. Defensively, the Red Raiders are No. 1.

Need to know: Texas Tech entered Saturday with the worst schedule strength (59) of the top-four contenders, and the lowest strength of record (10th).

Why they could be here: With Georgia and Texas Tech winning their respective conference championship games, the No. 5 spot is likely the Ducks’ Selection Day ceiling. Oregon earned a respectable road win at Washington, a top-25 win against No. 16 USC, and the Nov. 8 victory at Iowa was ultimately against a CFP top-25 team, as the four-loss Hawkeyes came back into the ranking at No. 23 last week. Oregon has also impressed the committee with its top-five ranking in offensive and defensive efficiency. It also doesn’t hurt that the Ducks’ only loss is to the Big Ten champs, Indiana.

Why they could be higher: It’s unlikely that Ohio State drops behind Oregon. They both played the Hoosiers, and they both lost. The committee could compare their wins, but Ohio State’s victory against Texas trumps Oregon’s best win against USC.

Need to know: The No. 5 seed is one of the most desirable because Oregon gets home-field advantage and also plays the No. 12 seed, which this year will likely be James Madison, the Sun Belt champs.

Why they could be here: The selection committee rewarded Ole Miss in its last ranking for its regular-season win against rival Mississippi State, but also bumped up the Rebels because Texas A&M dropped after losing to Texas. The Rebels’ Oct. 18 loss at Georgia will keep them behind the Bulldogs, but the Oct. 25 win at Oklahoma gives Ole Miss an edge against the Sooners. The Rebels’ 45-10 victory Sept. 20 against Tulane is one of their best wins. The Green Wave won the American title and clinched a spot in the CFP.

Why they could be higher: Now that Tulane is the American champ, the committee could consider giving Ole Miss a boost above Oregon for beating the Green Wave. That’s the kind of result that could impact an idle team’s résumé.

Need to know: Even without former coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels should still be a lock to host a first-round game.

Why they could be here: Because the Aggies didn’t play Alabama or Georgia this season, the SEC championship game didn’t impact their résumé while idle. The Aggies have only one win against a team in the CFP top 25, and that was the 41-40 victory at Notre Dame on Sept. 13. Still, the committee has a lot of respect for the Aggies’ four road wins.

Why they could be higher: It would be surprising to see Texas A&M move because Texas Tech won the Big 12 and won’t sink, and the loser of the Big Ten championship game is unlikely to drop outside of the top four.

Need to know: The Aggies should remain in position to host a first-round home game, and if they remain the No. 7 seed, they would face the No. 10 team, which is the committee’s toughest decision this week. Though the Aggies didn’t play Alabama during the regular season, it’s possible they could meet in the first round.

Why they could be here: The Sooners have earned their spot in the CFP thanks to an elite defense and their ability to continue to find ways to win — even when the offense has been average. The committee respects OU’s back-to-back road victories at Tennessee and Alabama. The Tide’s loss to Georgia doesn’t diminish the value of that win, especially because Alabama can still finish in the CFP field. The Sooners will still have the head-to-head tiebreaker, though, over Alabama. Oklahoma’s loss to Ole Miss will keep the Sooners behind the Rebels, but the committee has kept OU ahead of Texas despite the Sooners’ loss to the Longhorns because Texas has a third loss.

Why they could be higher: It’s unlikely the Sooners move up after being idle because Saturday’s results didn’t directly impact their place.

Need to know: With Alabama losing in the SEC championship game, the Sooners should still be safe as the last at-large team to host a first-round game.

Why they could be here: The Irish benefited from BYU losing to Texas Tech — preventing the Big 12 from having two teams in — and when Georgia beat Alabama soundly in the SEC title game. Arguably the biggest debate in the room all season has been between Notre Dame and Alabama, with the committee members seesawing between the two until Alabama’s Iron Bowl win tipped the scales last week for a few committee members who had been on the fence. With the loss to Georgia, though, the balance should swing back in Notre Dame’s favor, pushing Notre Dame safely into the bracket at No. 9.

Why they could be lower: If Alabama falls behind Miami, and the Canes are right next to Notre Dame, the committee could consider Miami’s head-to-head win over Notre Dame in the season opener and flip them. Even if that happened, though, both teams would still be in, and it would impact only seeding.

Need to know: Notre Dame has been in the committee’s top 10 in all five rankings this season. Last year, under the 12-team format, there were six teams that were ranked in the top 10 of every poll leading up to Selection Day; all six of them made the CFP (Oregon, Texas, Penn State, Indiana, Ohio State, Notre Dame), according to ESPN Research.

Why they could be here: Georgia beat Alabama soundly in the SEC championship game — with the selection members watching together. The group had called out Alabama’s inability to run the ball since the loss to Florida State, and it was exposed again against a relentless Georgia defense, finishing with minus-3 yards on the ground (with minus-28 of that coming from quarterback Ty Simpson). Alabama had the edge against that defense in a 24-21 win Sept. 27 in Athens. Georgia gave up 262 yards in the first half that day as Alabama scored on four of five possessions. The committee will consider Alabama’s win that day against the eventual SEC champs (along with victories against Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee). Alabama’s win against Georgia is better than Miami’s victory against Notre Dame.

Why they could be lower: Alabama was outplayed Saturday and Simpson was off-target. And the Tide lost the season opener to Florida State. If the committee drops the Tide lower, it won’t be as a punishment for playing in the SEC title game — it will be because of how Alabama performed in it.

Need to know: Same as Notre Dame above, Alabama has been ranked in the selection committee’s top 10 every week.

Why they could be here: With Alabama and BYU losing, it’s possible Miami and Notre Dame get in, but for that to happen, Alabama has to drop behind Miami. The Canes are still on the outside in this projection because the committee has believed each week that Notre Dame is the better team, and they were both idle Saturday. The committee would not intentionally put Alabama between Miami and Notre Dame, so it doesn’t have to deal with the head-to-head — that’s not how the voting works — but the Tide could fall there because the committee recognized Alabama was put in a position where it had to beat the same team twice in an additional game. Miami finished the season with two losses to unranked opponents, while Alabama and Notre Dame had losses to top-10 teams.

Why they could be higher: Alabama lost to Florida State, which Miami beat. The selection committee could drop Alabama to No. 11 behind Miami because of its third loss — and poor play — in a lopsided game against Georgia. That would open the door for Miami and Notre Dame to earn the final two at-large spots, regardless of the order.

Need to know: This depends in part on whom the committee is comparing the Canes with — Alabama or Notre Dame. It has been well-documented how close Miami and Notre Dame are. But if the group is comparing Miami and Alabama side-by-side, the Tide could have the edge. Alabama entered Saturday ranked No. 8 in strength of record, while Miami was No. 14. The Canes were No. 44 in strength of schedule, while Bama was No. 11.

Why they could be here: At 11-2, BYU is lumped in the group of two-loss teams at the bottom of the top 12, so the committee will compare the Cougars against Notre Dame and Miami. BYU lost by double digits again, though, to Texas Tech, and that likely will cause the Cougars to drop behind the Canes. BYU has two CFP top-25 wins: in double overtime at current No. 18 Arizona, and 24-21 at current No. 15 Utah. Though BYU’s wins aren’t as impressive as what Texas accomplished against Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, the committee could separate the two in part by their losses. The Longhorns’ defeat to Florida, along with their other losses, is holding back Texas in the committee meeting room.

Why they could be higher: BYU’s only two losses are to the Big 12 champions and a top-four team. Those two losses are better than Miami’s losses to SMU and Louisville. BYU also entered Saturday ranked No. 6 in ESPN’s strength of record metric, and it won’t be diminished by playing a top-four team. Miami was No. 14 and didn’t play. BYU also had a slight edge over Miami in strength of schedule.

Need to know: BYU will be excluded from the playoff for James Madison, which will earn the No. 12 seed as the Sun Belt champion.

Bracket

Based on the rankings above, the seeding would be:

First-round byes

No. 1 Indiana (Big Ten champ)
No. 2 Ohio State
No. 3 Georgia (SEC champ)
No. 4 Texas Tech (Big 12 champ)

First-round games

On campus, Dec. 19 and 20

No. 12 James Madison (Sun Belt champ) at No. 5 Oregon
No. 11 Tulane (American champ) at No. 6 Ole Miss
No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Texas A&M
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma

Quarterfinal games

At the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential and Allstate Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

No. 12 James Madison/No. 5 Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech
No. 11 Tulane/No. 6 Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Georgia
No. 10 Alabama/No. 7 Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
No. 9 Notre Dame/No. 8 Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana

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