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Asked about Florida’s Playoff chances after loss to LSU, Dan Mullen says committee is rewarding teams for ‘not playing’

Teddy Rydquist

By Teddy Rydquist

Published:

Falling to 8-2, the No. 6 Florida Gators were upset by Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers, 37-34, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday.

Likely ending Florida’s hopes for a berth in the College Football Playoff, the Gators will still play the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on December 19.

Addressing the media postgame, head coach Dan Mullen was asked if he thinks his team deserves a trip to the Playoff if they can beat Alabama and his response, which could be deciphered as a veiled shot at the Big Ten Conference’s Ohio State Buckeyes, was fiery.

“I don’t have a vote on that, I’m not in the room,” he began.

“You know what I mean? I know we’ve played 10 games, right? So, I guess probably the best thing to do would’ve been to play less games because you seem to get rewarded for not playing this year in college football.”

Idle on Saturday after their scheduled home date with Michigan was canceled due to coronavirus (COVID-19) issues within the Wolverines’ program, No. 4 Ohio State sits at 5-0 ahead of their December 19 battle with the No. 14 Northwestern Wildcats (6-1) in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Initially requiring teams to play six games to be eligible for a spot in the conference title game, the Big Ten changed their rules on December 9, affording the Buckeyes the opportunity.

Florida and the Crimson Tide will kick at 8 p.m. ET on CBS with Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jamie Erdahl on the call.

Teddy Rydquist

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.