Fans Believe ESPN, College Football Playoff Committee Colluded To Include SEC Team

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The College Football Playoff is set and many fans aren't happy about the four teams selected. Both Michigan (Big Ten) and Washington (Pac-12), as undefeated Power 5 conference champions, were locks to make the Playoff. Texas (Big 12, future SEC school) and Alabama (SEC) -- one-loss Power 5 conference champions -- got in over undefeated Power 5 champion Florida State (ACC) and many fans blame ESPN.

As everyone knows by now, Florida State lost its starting quarterback due to injury. Despite that, their resume speaks for itself. They're the first undefeated Power 5 champion to not make the College Football Playoff.

This is the ninth year of the playoff. In those nine seasons, there's another thing that's never happened: zero SEC teams reaching the final four. In fact, twice the SEC got two of the four teams in the College Football Playoff.

Some fans believe that ESPN wasn't going to allow the SEC to be left out. Of course, ESPN owns the SEC Network. They have a very strong vested interest in the conference.

The ESPN, SEC Network television crew.

The ESPN, SEC Network television crew. (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Plus, starting next season, ESPN takes over the main SEC football package from CBS. And, ESPN owns the rights to the College Football Playoff.

I'm not saying any of those things are connected. Simply pointing out facts.

But, some people ARE saying those things are connected.

Some fans, media and former players think ESPN colluded with College Football Playoff Committee to get SEC team in semifinals

On Sunday, ESPN analyst Booger McFarland went OFF on the College Football Playoff Committee leaving out Florida State in favor of Alabama. He used the word "we" several times, presumably meaning the college football media and ESPN.

Co-host Joey Galloway made sure to scold McFarland for saying the quiet part out loud.

LOL, ok Joey Galloway. Sure, you don't care who's playing who. That's an odd position for him to take given that his entire job revolves around telling fans who should be playing who in the College Football Playoff.

Rece Davis also took issue with McFarland's commentary. Clearly, Davis and Galloway got the ESPN memo that McFarland did not.

Some fans, media and former players think ESPN colluded with the College Football Playoff Committee to get an SEC team in the final four.

Some fans, media and former players think ESPN colluded with the College Football Playoff Committee to get an SEC team in the final four. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In addition, people pointed out some interesting things in ESPN coverage on Sunday and Monday regarding the College Football Playoff.

Someone noted that the helmets behind Kirk Herbstreit on Sunday featured the four teams in the College Football Playoff, despite ESPN claiming that they didn't know until everyone else knew.

One user posted a video of Dan Orlovsky from right after the Jordan Travis injury.

Orlovsky unequivocally states that an undefeated Florida State belongs in the playoff, regardless of their quarterback's status.

Fast forward to Monday. Orlovsky changed his tune. Big time.

He wasn't the only one, either. OutKick's Mark Harris documented Greg McElroy doing the exact same thing.

There are also allegations of political motivations. Again, I am not endorsing any of these views. I am simply trying to let the OutKick readers know what's out there. You are free to form your own opinions.

Where there's smoke, you can usually find fire.

And, there's a lot of smoke around Bristol, Connecticut Monday.

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.