College Football Playoff selection committee member Archie Manning is "stepping down" due to health reasons, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com. Manning underwent knee replacement surgery earlier this year and is "now experiencing discomfort while walking." He will "have surgery next month and will be unable to travel to meetings." The committee will "continue with 12 members for the rest of the season and will issue its first rankings Oct. 28" (ESPN.com, 10/20). In Jackson, Hugh Kellenberger notes Manning is "expected to return" to the committee in '15. Manning, an Ole Miss alum, "would not have been able to vote for or participate in discussion" of the school, which currently is ranked No. 3 in both the AP and Coaches' Poll, "due to the committee's recusal policy." He does "not receive financial compensation from the school but has had a professional relationship with it and his name is on the school's indoor practice facility" (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 10/21). Radio host Dan Patrick said now with only 12 members on the committee, if they have a 6-6 deadlock, they "will keep discussing and re-voting like a jury if they have issues here coming up with their Final Four at the end of the year" ("The Dan Patrick Show," 10/20).
A RESPECTED VOICE SILENCED: ESPN.com's Heather Dinich wrote Manning's decision to step down is a "significant loss" for the committee, as it will be "missing an influential voice with the power, knowledge and respect to sway their votes" (ESPN.com, 10/20). ESPN's Joe Schad said, "He's a very well respected voice. It's a shame that in the first year ever of this playoff committee we have someone having to recuse before they even get together officially for the first time." ESPN's Jaymee Sire said the SEC loses "an important voice" ("College Football Live," ESPN, 10/20).
