Football this 'n' that

 You didn't have to watch ESPN's College Football Playoff Selection Show, bloated as that was, to know that the eggheads in Dallas who make up the CFP selection committee were bent on pissing people off, just because they can.

Alabama held off a late rally by Florida to not only win the SEC title, but retain its #1 ranking. Ehh, ok. 'Bama haters likely will be looking at two seasons worth of AFLAC ads with coach Nick Saban as evidence that the CFP doesn't give a rat's butt about "Alabama Fatigue".

ACC champion Clemson has positioned itself for possibly another title game vs. the Crimson Tide, moving up to #2 after dispatching Notre Dame. The Irish drop to #4, as Big 10 champion Ohio State, with all of 6 games under its collective belt, moves to #3.

Yahoo!'s Dan Wetzel got on the stump to represent for American Athletic Conference champion Cincinnati, which went undefeated en route to the the league title, but get the el-snubbino because the AAC is considered a weak sister, with the Bearcats checking in at #8.

And so it is that the CFP semis are set for January 1:

Rose Bowl (Arlington, Texas): Clemson vs. Ohio State.

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans): Alabama vs. Notre Dame.

We know why the AAC and other "weak sister" conferences, including mid-majors like the Mid-American Conference, will never get consideration from the CFP.

It's all about name recognition, money, prestige, and reputation, not quite in that order.

There are those who are still calling for an expanded playoff, but for that to happen, you'd have to sacrifice some of those made-for-TV bowls, some of which aren't being played this season due to coronavirus. Bowl games mean money to college presidents. The NCAA and the CFP have made up their minds. They are not going to turn the CFP into the football answer to the basketball tournament, or even the College World Series in baseball, which has regionals and super regionals to fill out the field. By keeping the CFP at 4 teams, you're denying teams like Cincinnati, Ball State, Alabama-Birmingham, and others from joining the party and earning the right to play at the big boys' table. Generations of student-athletes have been conditioned and groomed to play for the Alabamas, Clemsons, and Notre Dames of the world, lured by the prospects of future pro contracts and endorsement deals, highlight reels airing on SportsCenter, and so on.

Oh, there will be players drafted from Cincinnati and UAB and Texas Tech, of course, but regardless of where you play, don't ya think you could benefit from the brass rings that go with playing in the CFP? Of course.

They really need to take the politics out of college sports. Yesterday.

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One of the marquee games on Sunday's NFL slate had defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City in New Orleans to play the Saints. However, while the Saints may be taking some heat for rushing QB/Wrangler salesman Drew Brees back from a rib injury, which took some shine off the game, New Orleans defensive lineman Cameron Jordan is owning his situation.

Jordan was ejected in the 4th quarter for throwing what appeared to be a punch at a Chiefs lineman. He later admitted he cost his team the game, which Kansas City won, 32-29. Would that more players would take the high road, as Jordan did.

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For the first time since 2008, the New England Patriots will not be in the AFC playoffs.

The Miami Dolphins sealed the casket on the Patriots with a 22-12 win, and while the Buffalo Bills clinched the division on Saturday, Miami is still in the hunt for a playoff spot with 2 games left. New England returns home to play the Bills, followed by the Jests, to close the season.

Speaking of the Jests, they finally won, upsetting the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20. It was QB Sam Darnold's "homecoming", if you will, returning to Los Angeles, where he played his college ball (USC). NFC West leader Seattle did its part, disposing of the Washington Deviants, but the Giants couldn't take advantage, and lost to Cleveland, 20-6, all but eliminating Big Blue from the playoffs. Two games remain, and the NFC Least figures to be the last division to be decided. We will remind that should the Deviants and Giants finish tied, the Giants sneak in the back door via the tiebreaker they hold over Washington after sweeping the season series.

The Jests winning means they probably won't get the #1 draft pick this spring, presumed to be Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. Knowing these clowns, the NFL will decide that Jacksonville, which hasn't won since September, will get the #1 pick.