The world have may moved from last year’s debate around undefeated ACC champion Florida State getting left out of the College Football Playoff, but it’s something never far from the mind of every college football coach who finds themselves fighting for a spot of their own.
The Arizona State Sun Devils are in the 2024 CFP. They clinched that spot Saturday with a 45-19 drubbing of the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship Game. However, now that the CFP consists of 12 teams, seeding has become a critical discussion for schools in their situation.
ASU would love to get one of the top four seeds, which comes with a first-round bye and the chance to host their initial CFP game. However, much like with FSU last season, there’s much speculation that the committee might pass them over and reward Boise State or another school instead.
Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham made it clear Saturday that he thinks his team deserves better consideration than what the Seminoles got last year.
“Last year, [the CFP Selection Committee] kept Florida State out because their quarterback didn’t play. We’re 11-1 with our quarterback. 11-1. And we’re Big 12 champs. I think we should be treated like an 11-1 team.” – Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham pic.twitter.com/hOPmN2Qldb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024
“There will be a lot of talk about seeding tomorrow on the Selection Show,” said ESPN sideline reporter Katie George. “What is your group deserving of after the body of work you’ve put together?”
“Last year, [the CFP Selection Committee] kept Florida State out because their quarterback didn’t play,” said Dillingham. “We’re 11-1 with our quarterback. 11-1. And we’re Big 12 champs. I think we should be treated like an 11-1 team.”
The second-year head coach reiterated that stance during his postgame presser as well, noting that his team is healthy and intact heading into the CFP and that “we should host a game.”
Head coach Kenny Dillingham on whether @ASUFootball should get a first-round bye 👀 pic.twitter.com/UhDP25pPCX
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2024
We’ll see how that shakes out on Sunday during the 2024 CFP Selection Show at noon on ESPN.
[ESPN]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.