UCF last year was excluded from the CFP despite posting an undefeated recordGETTY IMAGES
UCF AD Danny White over the weekend was "critical of an ESPN 'College GameDay' segment discussing UCF's accomplishments," and he "used that criticism as a springboard to advocate for change" to the current CFP structure, according to Jace Evans of USA TODAY. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit on the show said there were several teams more deserving of playoff consideration over UCF despite the school's 20-game winning streak, and White yesterday tweeted, "College Football has become a subjective popularity contest. The Knights represent all of the teams who -- for reasons of history, geography or politics -- are left out of the club. These factors will not define our bright future." He added, "The American Athletic Conference partners with ESPN. As such, we hope to work with you as partners to fix a broken model" (USA TODAY, 10/22). Herbstreit on the show asked, "Why are we focusing just on UCF when it comes to the Power Five? Because I think there are other teams out there that are as deserving, or more deserving." ESPN's Desmond Howard also said in order to "get respect," UCF is "going to have to start playing some Power Five teams.” But the net's David Pollack asked, "Is it easy for UCF to schedule a big boy? Does everybody want to play UCF? Probably not" ("College GameDay," ESPN, 10/20).
DESERVING BID? In N.Y., Marc Tracy noted the CFP committee by excluding undefeated UCF last year argued that the football team “had not been as challenged with their nonconference schedule, and their schedule over all, as teams right above them and right below them." White felt that was "disrespectful not only to UCF but to its league" as well. White said that the AAC "merits inclusion in a 'Power 6' setup for the FBS" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/20).
