Sankey ‘dissatisfied’ in CFP ranking reaction

• Heather Dinich, ESPN Senior WriterJan 7, 2024, 07:54 PM ET

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  • College football press reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of Indiana University

HOUSTON– SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told ESPN he was “disappointed in the acrimony” that took place following the College Football Playoff choice committee’s questionable last ranking last month, which for the very first time excluded an unbeaten Power 5 champ in Florida State.The CFP selection committee picked No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Washington, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama at the cost of the undefeated ACC champion and No. 5 FSU. Both Texas and Alabama had one loss and ended the season with a defeat in their respective CFP semifinal games.Committee members have actually gotten considerable backlash, consisting of hazards, since the group’s most debatable choice in a decade of the CFP, and conspiracy theories have run rampant on social networks platforms.” I didn’t require numerous incoming emails I received,”Sankey said.”I can only think of hearing from those on the selection committee who are volunteers what they got. I think a few of the statements made in the immediacy of choice were disappointing to me as a colleague, and I would keep that the strength of our league– sure we lost some games– however as I take a look at what were the 4 best teams, I would maintain that we had two of those 4.”However once again, the selection committee makes that choice, and we respect the choice.”Right away following the expose, Florida

State athletic director Michael Alford launched a scathing statement in which he called the committee’s choice “unforgivable.”ACC commissioner Jim Phillips called it “abstruse,” saying it”brings into question the choice process and whether the Committee’s own standards were followed.”On Sunday, Phillips told ESPN by text that he will continue to safeguard the conference

.” As the ACC Commissioner, I am definitely going to support our student-athletes, member schools and our conference at every minute. Duration. That was specifically what took place. This was a historic choice. For the really first time an undefeated, Power 5 conference champion was excluded. To be specific, I look quite eagerly anticipate dealing with my colleagues to continue to fine-tune the CFP and form the future of college football.”Sankey added to the debate on champion weekend when he appeared on ESPN’s”College GameDay “program and lobbied for his league’s continued representation in the CFP. In reference to other groups competing with Georgia and Alabama for top-four areas, Sankey said,”Let’s go back to like Sesame Street … one of these things is not like the other, which’s the Southeastern Conference.”On Saturday, Sankey said he appreciated the committee’s choice to leave out two-time defending national champ Georgia, which sank from No. 1 to No. 6 after losing to Alabama 27-24 in the SEC title

game.”The morning of choice we had actually prepared a declaration that stated we have a different view, however we’re not going to point fingers and cast blame,”he said. “We’re going to focus on how do we improve and get ready for the 12-team playoff? That’s it. … I think three or 4 times we have actually had the fifth-ranked team. Do I believe every choice has been best? No, however that the authority we designated. “Sankey said he will participate in Monday night’s national championship game between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington although this is the very first time because 2014– the inaugural season of the four-team playoff– that his conference does not have a group playing.Sankey and Phillips, along with the other FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, will have their annual conference Monday early morning prior to the title game, but no changes to the selection committee’s procedure are anticipated to be made at this time.

The brand-new 12-team format will begin this fall, which will avoid an undefeated Power 5 conference champion from being excluded.On Monday, the 11 presidents and chancellors who have the ultimate authority over the playoff could approve the commissioners ‘proposal to reward the five highest-ranked conference champs and the next seven highest-ranked teams with spots in the 12-team field.Still, Sankey wondered if it would end up being more challenging for the CFP to hire individuals to serve on the 13-member committee tasked with choosing the very best groups in the country. “Are individuals going to wish to serve because capability given the level of vitriol directed?”he said. “They’re volunteers.

They satisfied their charge. There’s always disagreement, however it should not sink to the level it has.”Huge 10 commissioner Tony Petitti stated he doesn’t believe

the aftermath of this choice day will avoid others from serving on the committee.” At the end of the day people truly appreciate the procedure and recognize how crucial it is,”he stated.”

Whether you’re an athletic director or somebody who’s played and has actually been asked to join or might not be an existing administrator, I believe there’s so much love for the game and how essential the task is individuals will always withstand do it. It’s our job to make sure those individuals feel safe and comfortable.”Petitti said his focus was “respecting how difficult that job is,” which this season’s debate further showed that four”isn’t the best number”of groups in the field. “I state that since I take a look at Ohio State’s season,”he stated. “It’s not just Florida State. We had some pretty good teams that might get on a

roll and win a championship game that weren’t included.” Mountain West Conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez stated this season’s controversy triggered her to reassess the”little information set”of a football season, and questioned if there were a much better method to figure out strength of schedule.” Today strength of schedule spits out a number, however you can’t lean on it like you perform in basketball due to the fact that there’s so much less information entering into that number,” Nevarez said.”That’s from my mind the core of the concern for the debate that occurred this year both with Liberty and Florida State. If we might determine a method to

get a metric that we feel better about– no one is going to agree with it, somebody is constantly going to be disturbed– however to me that was the weakness in this year’s argument, the ability to feel great about strength of schedule.” Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said this season showed that there suffice teams to legitimately fill a 12-team bracket.”This shows the point,”he said.”If you didn’t have people upset that they weren’t in the event, I ‘d question the intensity and interest in case. When we have 12 groups, we’re going to have individuals who aren’t pleased they’re not in the event. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the choice, I have no doubt in the stability of the people making those choices. “