/Go ahead UCF Have your parade, give out rings – you did all you could do

Go ahead UCF Have your parade, give out rings – you did all you could do

This is one day after the Johnny Come-lately UCF Knights will be celebrating their college football’s national title with a parade at DisneyWorld. What gives? What gives? College football’s flawed system for determining a national champion is what gives. This has allowed us many claims of national championships, even though no gray-bearded sports journalist knew the difference between a T formation and a single-wing. This is why Ole Miss has three national championships, something that few other than the Magnolia State can believe. Alabama won the 1941 national championship against Mississippi State, beating them 14-0 at Tuscaloosa. These are just a few examples of multiple claims for titles. There are many more. There are many more. The four playoff teams, chosen by a committee, did not include UCF (and Ohio State) and Minnesota. The playoffs did not include the Big Ten Conference. It won six of the seven bowl games during the most recent bowls season. UCF, which is the only undefeated team in the country was not invited. UCF is part of the American Athletic Conference. This is not a power five league. UCF used to be a member Conference USA. Jeff Bower’s Southern Miss teams would eat them for dinner, breakfast, and lunch. They have suddenly become college football’s Boise State. They won all 13 games in this season. They defeated three of the top-ranked teams, and beat Memphis twice. They defeated Maryland, the Big Ten, 38-10. They beat Auburn 34-27 at the Peach Bowl. Auburn beat both Alabama and Georgia, which are the two teams that will be competing for the national title. Auburn defeated Alabama 26-14 in November, and lost to UCF 34–27 on January 1. Mighty Auburn ran for 168 yards against Alabama and managed 90 yards on 44 carries to defeat UCF. UCF’s schedule strength was not as strong as Alabama’s, which didn’t even qualify for the conference championship game. UCF got left out. UCF will still hang a banner recognizing its national championship in its stadium. They will be holding a parade in Magic Kingdom. On Monday, they will celebrate their national championship. They will give their coaches national championship bonuses. They will award national championship rings to their players. Danny White, UCF’s athletic director, said: “I don’t know why you don’t call this team national champs. They are the only undefeated college football team, and they defeated Auburn in the final game of the season. “I don’t understand how you can not consider us national champions in any kind of equitable system.” I’m happy for them. Is it possible? They did everything possible. They won every single game they played. UCF is the problem, not the system. Several national pundits have taken shots at UCF, however. Paul Finebaum, of the SEC Network, advised: “Know where you are, UCF.” Finebaum called UCF’s parade offensive and said that it “demeans Monday night’s championship match.” I disagree. UCF doesn’t degrade anything. However, it is pointing out the discriminatory system that exists in college football. It does so by highlighting the fact that the “haves” are not invited to the party. March Madness is special because of this: When a Davidson beats North Carolina, a Middle Tennessee slays Michigan State, or a Mississippi Valley State terrorizes Duke. It’s the reason we love it so much. There are no Gonzagas in college football. They are not invited to the dance. It is a private event, so no poor people are allowed. So go ahead UCF. Let’s have your parade. Don’t forget the rings. Then you can replace your coaching staff that was taken by Nebraska.