I didn’t watch it. We already knew the #1 team (UCF). And the college football payoff once again left out the big10 champ. Last year they didn’t take the big10 champion and this year they didn’t even take the big10.
Anything to make sure SEC has a better chance to win.
I liked UCF and pulled for them but you are full of crap. If they played in the SEC they would not have had enough starters to play a whole game.Anyone wanting to play in a Championship Game has to come from SEC,ACC,Big Ten, West Coast or the Oklahoma Region.
Time for a dry pair of Buckeye Underoos
An 8 team playoff would be MUCH better. Take all five Power Five champs automatically. (Lets nearly every major team control their own destiny. Want in? Win your conference!) After that, take the top NON-Power Five team. Finally, take 2 wild cards from the best two teams not yet in.
Still a bit subjective, but would have included a Big10 and Pac12 team this year, and UCF. Likely Wisconsin, too.
I would add, this was an ESPN wet dream. They likely maximized revenue by having an SEC team at both ends of the Championship bracket.
I expect ESPN will be shilling for SEC teams again in next pre-season’s rankings to give themselves a better chance at success of cajoling the Bowl committee to have at least two SEC teams in the running again. Particularly since it is nearly impossible to be considered in the National conversation if you do not begin in the top ten in preseason polls.
Follow the money trail between the SEC and ESPN. ESPN just made up for lost revenue due to its obvious liberal views regarding the NFL, Trump, etc.
Did not watch the ESPN bowl. Will not until college football champions continue to be subject to popularity contests with broadcast contracts weighing heavily on who participates, unlike how it is in NCAA basketball.
I have never liked polls/rankings/consensus in sports. If they were worth anything, the USSR should have been given the 1980 Ice Hokey Gold Medal, the Patriots should have been given the Lombardi trophy in 2011, and the 1969 Orioles given the Commissioner’s trophy. Oh, and if you consider politics a sport, Hillary should have been sworn in as President without an election. Sports is about competition, not polls, rankings or consensus. So, since NCAA football does not lend itself for true competition among legitimate contenders for the National Championship then there is no true college football national champion.
Regards.