What To Do With UCF

In the last two years, the University of Central Florida Knights haven't lost a football game. In fact, the last game they've lost was on December 17th, 2016, to Arkansas State. However, despite their remarkable unbeaten streak, the College Football Playoff Committee refuses to put UCF in the top 4, thereby eliminating them from the college football playoffs.

Those who are against UCF being in the playoffs point to their relatively weak schedule, and say that the only reason they haven't lost in two years is due to the fact that they don't face top end talent such as Alabama, Clemson, and Oklahoma, among others. 

This is the most logical reason as to why the committee doesn't want to give UCF Top 4 status. They don't believe that their resume is good enough, despite beating everyone that's been put in front of them. They even beat #7 ranked Auburn in last years Peach Bowl, but going into this season they were only ranked 21st overall.

This season they once again went undefeated, however they only played one top 25 ranked team the entire year (#24 Cincinnati), which led to the Playoff Committee to once again keep them out of the Top 4.

UCF's 2018 schedule

Here is my proposition going into next season: If UCF once again goes undefeated for a third straight year, the Playoff Committee should put them into the Playoffs. I believe they should do this for 2 reasons.

1. A team going undefeated for three consecutive seasons is unheard of, even if their schedule isn't as tough as other schools. They should eventually be rewarded for their dominance, especially if they blow out as many teams as they did this season.

2. Let them play Alabama or Clemson, and we can once and for all see if UCF is in the upper-echelon of college football teams. If Alabama finishes #1 next year like they did this year, put UCF as the 4th team and have them play in the semi-finals. If Alabama beats them by 30 points, great, now we never need to have this discussion again. And if UCF wins or even plays a competitive game, we know that they're deserving of more respect moving forward. It seems like a win/win to me.

Will putting UCF 4th mean that some higher-profile schools won't make the 4-team playoff? Yes. But to me it's worth it to finally see whether or not UCF can compete with the best teams in the country. Until we put UCF to the test, we'll be left with more questions than answers.

- Cameron Begin