Indiana coach alleges ESPN favours SEC in playoff rankings

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 23:39 · Archive

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti accused ESPN of bias towards SEC teams in the first College Football Playoff rankings.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti accused ESPN of bias towards the SEC during his weekly radio show, following the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season. The rankings included 10 SEC teams but only six from the Big Ten. Cignetti claimed that ESPN personalities are given instructions on what to say and follow company policy, noting that 'the SEC gets a lot of love from ESPN'.

The rankings proved controversial. Two-loss Alabama finished at number 5, one place ahead of undefeated UCLA. Ohio State, which handed Indiana its only loss, checked in at number 12. Cignetti defended his team's resume, noting that Indiana leads the country with five victories over teams with winning records.

Commentator Tim Brando, who discussed the controversy on the 'Don't @ Me' podcast, disagreed with the suggestion of conscious bias from broadcasters. He argued that ESPN personalities are not deliberately acting improperly, but acknowledged that living in a 'bubble' and covering their own league can colour how they view it relative to other conferences. ESPN holds the SEC's national television rights and media rights to the College Football Playoff.

How it is being reported

• Curt Cignetti alleges ESPN SEC bias after controversial College Football Playoff ranking revealIndiana coach Curt Cignetti accused ESPN of SEC bias after the first CFP rankings included 10 SEC teams and only six from the Big Ten.New York Post · 5 Nov, 23:26
• Tim Brando joins Dan Dakich on 'Don't @ Me' to discuss Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's CFP 'bias' commentsTim Brando says ESPN broadcasters aren't consciously biased toward the SEC but admits living in a "bubble" can color how they view their league.Fox News · 5 Nov, 19:10

In this story: Curt Cignetti · Tim Brando · Indiana · ESPN · SEC · Big Ten

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