Aresco cited UCF's 9-0 record and the fact that the school has little chance to make the CFPGETTY IMAGES
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco is "reconsidering his position on playoff expansion, thanks in part to the way UCF has been ranked over the past two seasons," according to Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com. After an undefeated '17 season, UCF is 9-0 this season and "currently ranked No. 11, without any real shot at finishing in the top four and earning a playoff spot." Aresco said, "As they continue to do this strength of schedule, we're somewhat at a disadvantage. ... I hadn't really given a lot of thought to expansion of the playoff, but I'm giving more thought to it." He added under the current system, "half of FBS is pretty much going to be left out of this." Aresco: "I don't think there's much impetus for it now, but it might grow because also you've seen a couple of (Power 5) conferences left out." UCF AD Danny White has "been vocal in his support for playoff expansion" (ESPN.com, 11/14).
NO RUSH FOR EIGHT: The SEC could again get two teams into the CFP this year, and ESPN’s Marcus Spears said that scenario would "force a lot of anger, but it’s not going to force change." Spears: "It’s going to cause chaos, but it ain't going to make them go to eight.” He added, “Why are we in the playoff system? Because the BCS was a problem. ... There is always going to be a problem with the system. If you go to eight teams, guess what the ninth team is going to say?” (“Get Up,” ESPN, 11/15).
FEELING LIKE A ROCKSTAR: In San Jose, Jim Harrington noted the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! concert series in the lead-up to the CFP title game at Levi's Stadium will boast a "strong lineup." Performers will include OneRepublic, Logic, Alessia Cara, Leon Bridges, Ellie Goulding, Brynn Elliott and Jay Rock. Fiur Productions "books the concerts" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 11/14).
