There was always bound to be someone mad at the new College Football Playoff committee, what with only four teams allowed into the two-round tournament. As if on cue, Art Briles, coach of first-team-out No. 5 Baylor Bears, gave an explanation for the omission of his team (along with equally deserving Big 12 co-champ, No. 6 TCU) in favor of a more Northern team, No. 4 Ohio State:
I think the committee needs to be a little more regionalized with people that are associated with the south part of the United States. I'll say that. I'm not sure if there's a connection on there that is that familiar with the Big 12 Conference. To me, that's an issue.
While critics would immediately jump to the inclusion of Alabama and Florida State in the playoff to combat anti-South bias, it's important to note that Briles specifically mentions that the committee members don't watch the Big 12. After all, if there's one bias that's definitively stronger than any possible anti-South bias, it's pro-SEC bias.
Instead of being served up on a plate for Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Baylor will take on #8 Michigan State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day.
[via ESPN]
