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College Football Fans Cry ‘SEC Bias’ As ESPN Hosts Push For 3-Loss Playoff Team

#College Football Playoff
by Last Updated
SEC coaches pictured over a background of a College Football Playoff logo.

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The second edition of the College Football Playoff rankings were unveiled on Tuesday as we get one step closer to the postseason. In the Top 5, you’ll find just one SEC team. That hasn’t stopped viewers from accusing ESPN of SEC bias.

Multiple network hosts were heard making cases for three-loss Southeastern Conference squads to be included in the final 12-team field. No other league would get that respect if the roles were reversed!

As it stands, the SEC has no undefeated teams. Texas and Tennessee are both 8-1 while Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Alabama are 7-2. Even 6-3 LSU is still in the conversation.

Six of those seven teams remain in the Top 15 of the CFP rankings, giving each a legitimate chance to land a bid. Many of these rivals still have to play one another, offering a scenario for absolute chaos.

Former Alabama QB and ESPN host Greg McElroy was heard playing out a path for LSU to not only make the playoff but land a first-round bye. There’s still a way for the Tigers to win the SEC despite their three setbacks.

Heather Dinich voiced a similar outlook on potential three-loss SEC bids while speaking with Pat McAfee on Tuesday. She wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the possibility!

“I would really hesitate to eliminate a three-loss SEC team,” she said. “In the first 10 years of the College Football Playoff, there have been 13 three-loss teams ranked in the committee’s Top 10 on selection day. This has happened before.”

She pointed to Georgia, specifically, in her analysis. The Bulldogs boast the nation’s most difficult schedule. They have a win over No. 3 Texas on the road. Their only losses have come to Ole Miss and Alabama, both away from home. They’ll have another chance to pick up a Top 10 win vs. Tennessee this Saturday.

Alabama finds itself in a similar boat. No other college football team has racked up as many ranked wins as the Crimson Tide (4). That’s twice as many as the next closest competitor, and more than the entire Top 5 of the current field combined!

There are scenarios where we could see seven SEC teams finish the year at 10-2. One of those teams would then lose in the SEC Championship. Would they be punished for playing an extra game?

In all likelihood, things won’t play out in that fashion. Still, if teams like Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Ole Miss all finish with 10 wins, who would get left out?

And as Heather Dinich noted, history can repeat itself! Just last year, an undefeated Florida State squad was jumped by one-loss Alabama for the final playoff bid. That came despite the ‘Noles having two wins over SEC foes LSU and Florida, and it eventually led to a lawsuit from the university noting ESPN’s vested interest in highlighting the SEC due to its television deal.

A team like Indiana this year, whose strength of schedule currently ranks 100th according to ESPN, might not get the benefit of the doubt should they falter over their last three games. BYU, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Miami could also be on the chopping block with a loss, making room for one of those SEC hopefuls.

At this point, there’s too much football still to be played to predict the 12-team field. Still, the ACC might only get one team, and the same could be said for the Big 12. Take out the G5 and Big 10 champion slots and that leaves eight spots. It’s not outlandish to think five might go to Southeastern Conference schools.

Again, this is all just talk at this point in the season. Still, ESPN appears to be laying the groundwork for SEC inclusion. College football fans aren’t necessarily happy about it!