After going undefeated last year but only finishing 12th in the final College Football Playoff rankings, UCF is rightfully wondering if there’s any way it can ever snag a spot among the final four teams.
The man in charge of the playoff insists there is.
“Yes, there is a path,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock told the Associated Press. “UCF got full consideration from the committee last year. I believe the committee at the end of the season had ranked UCF higher than the sports writers and the coaches had.”
Perhaps Hancock misspoke, but that last bit isn’t true. Both the media and coaches polls ranked the Knights 10th after conference championship week. Even so, Hancock maintained that the CFP committee carefully and properly evaluated UCF.
“So they got every consideration and they had a wonderful season,” Hancock said. “For the path, play a good schedule, win your games, and you’re going to be in the hunt for the College Football Playoff.”
The whole “play a good schedule” thing appears to be what’s holding the Knights back. The reigning American Athletic Conference champs finished last season ranked behind five two-loss Power 5 teams and even a three-loss SEC squad — Auburn, which UCF beat in the Peach Bowl to solidify its 13-0 record and claimed national championship.
There’s a strong chance the CFP committee will have to consider an undefeated Knights team in November yet again. UCF, which is currently No. 13 in the AP Top 25, faces only conference teams after this Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
