CFP notified FBI over hazards after FSU exclusion

• Heather Dinich, ESPN

  • Senior WriterJan 8, 2024, 03:19 PM ET Close College football reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of Indiana University

HOUSTON– Executive director Bill Hancock said the College Football Playoff has gotten in touch with the FBI in action to hazards he stated were directed at himself, CFP employee and selection committee members following this season’s controversial exemption of undefeated ACC champ Florida State.Hancock declined to

state particularly what the CFP has actually done to safeguard committee members and personnel but stated it has actually”taken steps”considering that Choice Day on Dec. 3.” We have actually stayed ahead of it,”Hancock stated following the CFP’s annual conference prior to Monday night’s CFP National Championship provided by AT&T in between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington. “We’ve been in contact with the FBI just to say, ‘We got this. We got a threat on my home. We want you to understand about it and tell us what should we do about it?’Most of us did. “Editor’s Picks

1 Related After leaving out the very first unbeaten Power 5 champion in the CFP era, Hancock said some committee and staff members got threats at their homes and workplaces, and all of them got “the disgusting, profanity-laced emails and phone calls.”

“Every NCAA sports committee gets criticism from the teams who were left out,” Hancock said. “I have actually been doing this 35 years. I have actually seen it and I understand those fans, but this one was absolutely over the top and unsuitable. In my 35 years, I have actually never seen anything like this.”

Hancock said he doesn’t believe this will hinder people from offering to sign up with the 13-member committee in the future. The CFP will need to change seven people who turn off the group this year.

“This is the most distinguished sports committee in the NCAA structure,” Hancock stated. “It’s an honor to be a part of it, and more so it’s an honor to offer something back to the game that you enjoy. I get that every time I call a prospective brand-new member– ‘Yes, I enjoy this game and wish to offer something back to it.'”

Mississippi State president Mark Keenum, who is the chair of the CFP’s board of managers, stated he thought the committee got it right. The committee picked No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Washington, No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama.Texas and Alabama were both one-loss conference champs ranked ahead of the Seminoles, and both lost in their particular CFP semifinals.”They don’t have to do this, and they followed their procedure to a’T,’and I do believe they got it right,” stated Keenum, who leads the group of 11 presidents and chancellors who manage the CFP.” We have the very best 4 teams in the playoff, and as evidenced tonight, we have the very best 2 groups playing for the national championship.”Exists disappointment when your team does not make it into

the playoff? Absolutely, and I feel for them, however to castigate or slam or threaten people that were just doing their job, the process and following it, I thought was extremely unjust.”While no modifications were made on Monday to how the CFP committee picks the leading teams, the group did rubber-stamp the FBS commissioners’ choice to require a conference to have 8 members in order to contend for a league title and make an automatic quote in the new 12-team format. The decision mirrors the NCAA law of what constitutes a conference, and was enacted at the CFP level to address Oregon State and Washington State.”That’s based upon an NCAA description, “SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stated. “There’s a little common sense.

I don’t believe anyone sits there and says a two-member league constitutes a conference. It’s not about Power 5. That’s a colloquial that indicates to the autonomy allotment and observations over time about strength.”The broadened field, which begins this fall, will reward the highest-ranked conference champions. It is expected ultimately to comprise the 5 highest-ranked league winners and the next seven-highest ranked groups. The board did not vote on the proposed 5 +7 model on Monday, however, since the Pac-12 requested for more time while it continues to figure out its legal issues.Washington State president Kirk Schulz represents the Pac-12 on the CFP board, and just Washington State and Oregon State remain in the conference after sweeping adjustment.”I would be shocked if we do not have a 5-7 format for this coming playoff, “Keenum stated.”I just think out of regard for our coworker and the Pac-12, they requested a bit more time for us to consider it. We as a board believed that was a reasonable request and granted that. “In November, the commissioners were consentaneous in their support for 5 +7, but Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff avoided ballot. Oregon State and Washington State have actually accepted an one-year scheduling plan with the Mountain West Conference that will permit them to compete for the national title in a role similar to an independent like Notre Dame. Those schools can not compete for a conference title.”It’s a great collaboration, “Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said.”They required to retain their independence in order to figure out the Pac-12. We actually got 2 extra games that will bring a really excellent strength of schedule to our groups.”