SMU Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee ignited debate at ACC Media Days when he suggested that a team from the Sun Belt Conference, implicitly referencing James Madison University, did not merit a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth over the ACC champion.
Lashlee's remarks came during discussions about the upcoming season and the conference's standing in the national landscape, particularly concerning CFP qualification. As the ACC prepares to adopt a format where each Power 4 conference champion receives an automatic bid, Lashlee emphasized the importance of awarding champions.
However, his comments specifically addressed the 2025 season, when the five highest-ranked conference champions received automatic bids. In that scenario, Duke, the ACC champion, finished with an 8-5 record and was unranked in the final CFP standings. James Madison, as a "Group of 6" team, secured a CFP spot. Lashlee implied that a team like James Madison should not have been prioritized over the ACC champion.
These statements drew significant backlash online, particularly from James Madison fans. Many took to social media to criticize Lashlee's perspective, arguing that JMU earned its spot. The controversy highlights ongoing discussions about playoff expansion and selection criteria in college football.
Lashlee's comments have created a stir, with many anticipating potential friction between SMU and James Madison should the teams meet in future matchups. The exchange underscores the passionate debates surrounding college football playoff access and merit.