SMU’s Lashlee: Critics of CFP inclusion ‘welcome’
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David Hale, ESPN Staff Writer
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — After a blowout loss in the first round of the College Football Playoff, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee knew the questions would come.
SMU’s 38-10 loss to Penn State opened the floodgates for a chorus of critics who felt the College Football Playoff committee got it wrong in giving the No. 11 seed — and final at-large bid — to the Mustangs, who entered the postseason without a marquee win on their resume.
Lashlee, however, said he wasn’t interested in re-litigating the decision, and said SMU’s merits — including an 11-1 regular season — were more than enough to answer any critics.
“We didn’t play well enough to say anything that isn’t going to be written,” Lashlee said. “It’ll be written, should we be in or did we belong? That’s fine. You’re welcome to write it. We didn’t play good today. But this is a quality team. We had a good team. We deserve to be here. We earned the right to be here. I’m disappointed we didn’t play to the level that validates that.”
Lashlee was adamant in the week leading up to the ACC championship game that SMU, ranked eighth at the time, shouldn’t be punished for playing an extra game. SMU fell behind Clemson early in the ACC championship, but came back to tie the game late before losing on a 56-yard field goal with zeroes on the clock. Afterward, Lashlee wondered aloud if “the fix was in” with the committee, doubts that proved unfounded as the Mustangs landed the final at-large spot — leaving the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, Miami and South Carolina on the outside of the bracket.
So when a pair of early pick sixes put SMU in an early hole, the criticism began in earnest, and the complaints — particularly from SEC country — only grew after Penn State’s 38-10 victory.
The criticism of SMU followed a lopsided loss by 11-1 Indiana on Friday. The Hoosiers also entered the postseason without a signature win, and critics from the SEC, including commissioner Greg Sankey, had spent weeks lamenting the poor strength of schedule for teams that were rewarded by the committee.
Way to keep us on the edge of our seats Committee …. Riveting
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 21, 2024
It’s notable, however, that Penn State, too, entered Saturday’s game with an 11-2 record, a loss in its conference title game, and a lack of a marquee win — its best coming against Illinois in October, yet the Nittany Lions still won with ease.
Still, the one-sided affairs in the opening round of the first 12-team playoff will certainly create fodder for schools who feel their more challenging slates put them at a distinct disadvantage.
For Lashlee, however, he’s making no apologies other than for the mistake-laden performance, including three first-half interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) by QB Kevin Jennings, that led to the Mustangs early exit.
“Kevin’s going to take a lot of the beating for three interceptions,” Lashlee said. “It all works together. I maybe shouldn’t have called that play, if we’d been just a little more solid in protection, it’s probably a completion.”
The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Michael King on the 15-day injured list Thursday because of left knee inflammation.
King (4-2, 2.81 ERA) had just come off the IL on Saturday, allowing two runs in as many innings of a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox.
It was his first start since May 18 as he dealt with shoulder inflammation.
Now, he’s back on the IL with a knee issue in a move retroactive to Monday.
It’s a setback for a red-hot Padres team, who will carry a five-game winning streak into a weekend showdown against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. First-place San Diego is one game ahead of L.A. in the NL West.
King had been scheduled to start the series opener Friday.
In the corresponding roster move, the Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.
While the Milwaukee Brewers keep on rolling, another Wisconsin business is stocking up on beef and buns.
For the third time in its history, George Webb Restaurants will make good on its promise of giving away free hamburgers as part of a longstanding promotion to celebrate the Brewers winning 12 consecutive games.
The free burger giveaway will be held Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT at all 23 of the restaurant’s locations throughout Wisconsin. Vouchers for a burger at a later date will be available at all locations starting Friday.
“Hungry fans are welcome to stop by any location for a free, juicy burger and some camaraderie with fellow baseball fans,” the restaurant said on its website.
Starting way back in the 1940s, when Milwaukee was home to the minor league Brewers of the old American Association, George Webb promised free burgers if the local baseball team won 17 consecutive games.
The promotion dropped to 13 games by the time the Braves made Milwaukee a big league city in 1953, but that franchise couldn’t make it happen before departing for Atlanta in 1966.
George Webb changed the promotion to 12 games when the Brewers moved from Seattle in 1970. In 1987, the Brewers opened the season with 13 wins in a row, and more than 170,000 burgers were given away to mark the occasion.
The Brewers accomplished the feat a second time in 2018, closing the regular season with eight victories followed by four playoff wins. That streak led to 90,000 free burgers being given away in addition to 100,000 redeemable vouchers.
Prior to reaching the magic mark on Wednesday, the Brewers had come close on a few occasions, including an 11-game winning streak earlier this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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