Compton Rips CFP Committee’s SEC Ties and Takes Shot at ESPN’s Role

Indiana and Alabama draw scrutiny

The first College Football Playoff rankings arrived during a turbulent regular season, with top-three teams losing frequently. The committee’s choices prompted debate, particularly its placement of Indiana at No. 4 and Alabama at No. 5.

On Bussin’ and Pate On Campus, co-host Will Compton challenged the idea that Indiana and Alabama were simply overrated. He suggested the rankings raised questions about preferential treatment for the SEC from both the committee and the media.

Compton cites SEC connections

Compton said the SEC made up 40 percent of the top 25 and half of the top 14. He also said half of the committee had SEC ties.

The committee includes a former Ole Miss tight end and former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, while Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek is its chair. Mark Dantonio, Ivan Maisel, Chris Massaro, Mike Riley and Carla Williams also attended or worked for SEC schools, meaning more than half of the committee had such ties by that count.

ESPN partnership enters debate

Compton also pointed to ESPN’s relationship with the SEC. The network carries all SEC football games and works with the conference on SEC Network. Compton, a Nebraska alumnus, joked that he hoped his show could continue on its platform. He said the rankings might eventually make sense, but Alabama’s position was conspicuous to him.

A familiar argument in sports media

Accusations of coordination between the SEC and ESPN are not new. The article also notes that ESPN commentators have previously discussed the relationship on air. The passage says Compton can criticize his employer and raise theories about the sport while attracting viewers. It frames the controversy against the business interests surrounding major college football.