Aresco: The Knights deserve higher rank
Like many of us, American Athletic Conference commissioner
found himself enjoying some quality time with family and friends during Thanksgiving weekend.
And of course, there was football.
And like many college football fans, Aresco found himself mesmerized by Friday’s showdown between No. 15 UCF and USF.
“I can hardly remember a better one in a long, long time. The last six minutes were beyond belief,” Aresco said Saturday after digesting UCF’s thrilling 49-42 win over USF.
As commissioner, Aresco didn’t have a rooting interest in either team, but that’s not to say he wasn’t looking forward to the outcome.
“I was on edge only because it was such a great game. Every minute was, ‘Holy cow, I can’t believe what I’m watching,’ ” he said. “I was hoping we would get a great game. It didn’t matter to me who won. I was hoping for a great game and we did.
“It was a great showcase for the league, which we always need because sometimes we get overlooked.”
It’s that feeling of being overlooked, especially by the 13 members of the College Football Playoff selection committee during weekly rankings, that prompted Aresco to defend his league to members during interviews last week.
His message, which he believes might have been misinterpreted thanks to some sensationalist headlines, was to simply point out all of the great things AAC teams have accomplished this season.
“All I really said was I thought the committee may not be fully aware of how good we are,” Aresco said his comments. “That we weren’t getting the respect that we deserved. I never once attacked the committee.”
Aresco reiterated he took umbrage with the fact that the committee didn’t give USF enough respect by not ranking the Bulls and he believes their performance Friday showed why they should have been in the top 25.
“I thought they were a COMMENTARY very good team, and your schedule is your schedule,” he said. “They were ranked in both polls [Associated Press and coaches], but not the CFP poll.”
Aresco also believes UCF should be ranked higher. The Knights have remained steady at the No. 15 spot in the rankings despite being, at the time, one of just four undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The committee has said while it’s been impressed with UCF’s performance, the Knights’ weak schedule has kept them from moving up in the playoff poll. Regardless, the highest-ranked conference champion from a Group of 5 league earns a spot in the New Year’s Six bowl game. This year, the Peach Bowl is set to get the Group of 5 representative.
Even though his league champion is headed to an elite bowl, Aresco said the AAC hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention for its accomplishments by the committee. He stressed that while he believes the committee does an excellent job when Houston finished the 2015 season at 12-1, they were ranked No. 18 in the final poll. The Cougars went on to upset Florida State in the Peach Bowl a month later.
Aresco wants committee members to take the entire body of work by the AAC into consideration. It is a young league that has consistently demonstrated the ability to beat teams in the Power 5.
“We’ve been hurt by this perception that somehow our league isn’t strong,” Aresco said. “UCF has been penalized for being in our league, essentially.
“An undefeated team in the Power 5, even if it had a soft schedule, would likely be ranked much higher.”
He referenced Wisconsin, which is the lone remaining undefeated Power 5 team in the country and has been criticized for a weak schedule. The Badgers were still ranked fifth in last week’s rankings.
Aresco explained his comments were made to defend his league and the athletes who play each week. He also believes Friday’s game should help the AAC’s perception.
“I think so. I hope so. I think the quality of play was a great showcase for our league,” he said.
But when asked if he thinks UCF will rise in this week’s playoff rankings, Aresco wasn’t nearly as certain.
“I don’t know what to expect. I just hope. I hope they do,” he replied. “I would hope a performance like this would help their stock.”
And if UCF wins the conference championship Saturday against Memphis to finish 12-0, does he believe the Knights should be considered for a spot in a playoff semifinal?
“I do, absolutely, because I think they can beat anyone in the country,” he said. “… Sure, I’m going to say that no question. But again, you only have four spots and the committee has to make a tough decision.”