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Last season, the SMU Mustangs and head coach Rhett Lashlee shocked the college football world when they won the ACC and qualified for the College Football Playoff.
Lashell and the Mustangs won’t sneak up on anyone this time around. But even if SMU has a strong season, it appears that Lashlee is doubtful as to whether his team will make the postseason, and he says ESPN and CFP organizers are to blame.
Rhett Lashlee Calls Out Changes To ESPN FPI That Hinder The ACC
In a recent update to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the ACC’s top-ranked teams, Clemson and Miami, both saw significant drops.
When the initial rankings were released in June, the Hurricanes were ranked No. 9 and the Tigers were No. 11. Now, Miami has dropped all the way to 17th, with Clemson one spot ahead in 16th. This is despite no significant changes to either team’s roster.
Miami’s estimated chances to reach the playoffs dropped from 46.3 percent to 35.9 percent, while Clemson’s went from 47.3 percent to 38.2 percent
Tennessee, Ole Miss, LSU, Florida, Michigan, and USC all moved up the rankings
That didn’t sit well with Lashlee.
Because the whole thing is rigged
— Rhett Lashlee (@rhettlashlee) August 16, 2025
“Because the whole thing is rigged,” the SMU coach posted on X in response to the change in rankings.
ESPN, of course, controls the TV rights to the College Football Playoffs, and while the FPI is not a primary factor in which teams do and do not make the playoff, it is a tool for the CFP committee to use when determining at-large spots.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten is currently proposing an expanded playoff system that would guarantee both it and the SEC seven spots apiece in a 28-team playoff. Although that system would also guarantee the ACC five spots.
Only those involved in the selection process know if the playoffs are truly “rigged.” But the seemingly random change in rankings is at least enough to raise an eyebrow.