The SEC Coach of the Year 2014, Dan Mullen, served as the head coach of Mississippi State University and the University of Florida and is now the TV analyst for both networks, ABC and ESPN.
The analyst has expressed his clear dissent with the College Football Playoff Selection Committee for not selecting the undefeated ACC champions, the Florida State Seminoles for the college playoff in 2023.
ESPN’s Mullen stated his firm viewpoint that Alabama was not demonstrating enough grit to surpass the undefeated Florida State Seminoles. His statement came after the concluding rankings were disclosed on Sunday.
According to Awful Announcing, Mullen expressed, “Well the same day you’re talking about this Florida-Florida State game, the Alabama team, who we just shoved right in — they’re the greatest thing of all time — played an Auburn team, who had been absolutely boat raced by New Mexico State.”
“I mean, embarrassed by New Mexico State. And needed an absolute miracle to beat an extremely below-average Auburn team. And that was not with their backup and third-string quarterback, that was with Jalen Milore…Jalen Milore’s the guy. They could barely win that game.”
Mullen further stated, “I think to me, and it gets into the biggest thing and I love the criteria; the criteria is the best team. Well, how do you find the ‘best’ team? The best team, subjectively, well, it was already done. The best team (Saturday) going in, Georgia was the No. 1 ranked team. So, the committee thought they were the best team. They’re the best. Like, we don’t need to see a game, they’re the best; because it’s subjective. Las Vegas had them as big favorites. Subjectively, they’re the best. Objectively, they went and played the game. And when you play the game, oh lo and behold, maybe they are not the best team.”
“In the movies, the hero always wins. The best team, who we subjectively think is the best team in college sports, doesn’t always win. Maybe who you think is the best team doesn’t always win. So in the game of football — and what makes it so special — is you have to play the game. And when you play the game, someone wins and someone loses. And if you play it 10 times, it might be different. But in college football, you get to play it once usually. You play the game, someone wins and someone loses. And you know what Florida State did, all they did was win.”
Florida State Seminoles were 13-0 in the season and went on to win the ACC Championship, defeating the Louisville Cardinals 16-6. Their quarterback, Jordan Travis, was injured, and in his place came Tate Rodemaker, who was also injured. However, despite facing major injuries to the quarterback, the squad still managed to win with their third quarterback, Brock Glenn.
The No. 4 Florida State Seminoles will play against No. 6 Georgia for the Orange Bowl on December 30th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
