Greg Mcelroy statement about Ole miss that the college playoff committee needs to hear

Greg McElroy’s Bold Statement About Ole Miss: A Wake-Up Call for the College Football Playoff Committee

In a recent appearance on ESPN, former Alabama quarterback and current college football analyst Greg McElroy made a statement about Ole Miss that deserves to be heard loud and clear by the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee. As the race for the four coveted playoff spots intensifies, McElroy’s comments serve as a timely reminder that the criteria used to select teams for the playoff should be about more than just flashy wins and big names. His remarks underscore why Ole Miss deserves serious consideration, and why the CFP committee should reconsider their approach when evaluating teams from conferences like the SEC.

McElroy’s Perspective: The Case for Ole Miss

Greg McElroy, known for his sharp football insights, made it clear that Ole Miss has been one of the most impressive teams in college football this season. While much of the media attention is often directed toward the powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State, McElroy pointed out that Ole Miss has quietly put together a strong case for inclusion in the College Football Playoff.

McElroy emphasized that Ole Miss has a well-rounded team with a potent offense, anchored by star quarterback Jaxson Dart, and a defense that, while not as celebrated, has shown real improvement under head coach Lane Kiffin’s leadership. The Rebels’ ability to compete at a high level within the tough SEC, arguably the best conference in the country, makes them a dangerous team that is capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone, regardless of the rankings.

But it’s not just Ole Miss’s on-field product that McElroy is highlighting—it’s the broader context of the current playoff conversation. As the CFP committee continues to prioritize traditional powerhouses and historical strength of schedules, McElroy argues that teams like Ole Miss are being overlooked because they don’t have the same national name recognition, despite their on-field excellence.

The Argument for Ole Miss in the Playoff

1. Strong Conference Play: The SEC is often seen as the measuring stick for college football. When teams from this conference perform well, it’s a testament to their ability to compete at the highest level. Ole Miss’s position in the SEC West—arguably the toughest division in college football—should not be discounted. Even though they may not have been able to outlast juggernauts like Georgia or Alabama, they’ve shown they can hang with the best, often playing those teams closer than expected.
2. Balanced Team: Ole Miss’s offense, led by Dart, has been one of the most dynamic in the country. They’re able to score in bunches and have demonstrated the ability to come back in games, which is a critical characteristic for a playoff-caliber team. More importantly, Kiffin’s squad has been able to find ways to win even when facing adversity, something that speaks to the resilience needed to succeed in the postseason.
3. Quality Wins and Tough Schedule: McElroy noted that the playoff committee has often shown an unwillingness to reward teams from the SEC that don’t have a pristine record, even if those teams have faced a gauntlet of top-tier opponents. While Ole Miss may have a couple of losses, their wins over ranked opponents and their competitiveness against the elite teams in the SEC provide a more than solid argument for inclusion. It’s worth considering that an Ole Miss team with a couple of losses in the SEC may still be better equipped to compete in the playoff than an undefeated team from a weaker conference.
4. The “Eye Test” Argument: As much as the CFP committee relies on data, one cannot ignore the eye test. In McElroy’s view, Ole Miss passes that test with flying colors. When watching them play, you see a well-coached, highly talented team that has the potential to go on a run in the postseason. Their explosive offense and improved defense give them a multifaceted game plan that makes them a dangerous matchup for any opponent.

A Wake-Up Call for the CFP Committee

McElroy’s comments should serve as a wake-up call for the College Football Playoff committee, which has historically been slow to embrace non-traditional powerhouses, especially those outside the top-10 radar in any given season. The selection process needs to place greater value on how teams perform in tough conferences and against quality opponents, rather than simply judging teams based on brand name or a polished record.

The CFP committee should recognize that the current playoff format doesn’t always reward the best teams—it often rewards the most marketable teams. It’s time for the committee to acknowledge that a team like Ole Miss, with its impressive body of work and its ability to go toe-to-toe with the country’s best, has earned a shot at a playoff spot.

Conclusion

As the season heads into its final stretch, the conversation around the College Football Playoff will continue to heat up. Greg McElroy’s comments about Ole Miss offer an important perspective that should not be ignored. The CFP committee has a duty to evaluate teams holistically—not just based on record or name recognition, but on the merit of their performance on the field. Ole Miss has earned its spot in the conversation, and if the committee is serious about picking the four best teams, they need to listen to McElroy and take a closer look at what the Rebels have accomplished.

The College Football Playoff is supposed to be about identifying the best teams, and in 2024, Ole Miss deserves to be one of them.