SMU’s Rhett Lashlee slams ESPN’s ‘rigged’ college football rankings

Rhett Lashlee isn’t hiding what he thinks is ESPN favoritism to the Big Ten and SEC. The SMU coach is calling it out again.

Back in June, ESPN released its Football Power Index rankings. It is aimed to offer “measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season.”

ACC teams Miami and Clemson opened at No. 9 and No. 11, respectively. Lashlee’s SMU came in at No. 20, following the Mustangs’ 11-3 season that led to a surprise berth in the College Football Playoff.

On Friday, as the season nears, ESPN updated those rankings. Although nothing has changed, ACC schools Miami and Clemson both fell to No. 17 and No. 16, respectively. SMU actually moved up a spot, to No. 19.

So, what changed, you may ask?

“Because the whole thing is rigged,” the SMU coach wrote on X.

Last season, Lashlee had similar remarks, questioning the idea that the ACC and Big 12 couldn’t compete with the Big Ten and SEC. He called the SEC “top-heavy.”

“There’s other leagues that claim depth,” Lashlee said then. “The SEC has had the same six schools win the championship since 1964. Same six. Not a single one has been different since 1964. That’s top-heavy to me. That’s not depth.”

Hopefully, SMU can build off its strong season. That would likely result in more of the head coach’s shots at ESPN and the big two conferences. Added spice is always good for the sport.