Fans of non-SEC teams have claimed there’s an extensive media bias for the SEC for years. Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings weren’t curated by media members, but with ESPN’s supposed track record, the slotting of Alabama, Texas and other conference institutions is something people are pointing to as justification for their belief.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti is in on the claims. During his Wednesday night coach’s show, he blasted ESPN for promoting the SEC over other conferences.
RELATED: Interested in Kalshi? Sign up with this Kalshi promo code first.
“[The] SEC gets a lot of love from the ESPN, you know, and all their writers that they don’t technically pay but march to their drum,” Cignetti said. “That’s why you see all these SEC teams up there… and some good two-loss teams from the Big Ten not quite as high.”
The SEC has five two-loss teams in the top 14 of the first CFP rankings. Meanwhile, the Big Ten’s lone unbeaten team, UCLA, is behind two of those schools (Alabama and Texas). The highest-ranked two-loss Big Ten squad is No. 12 Ohio State, who would miss the bracket in favor of Group of Six representative Boise State if these rankings were final.
Cignetti admitted everything will be “played out on the field” before the 12-team event is finalized. His Hoosiers, who are No. 4 in the CFP rankings, are on bye this weekend. They’ll play USC in Bloomington on Nov. 14.
Like our coverage? Make SDS a preferred source in your searches!
