Why Shouldn't UCF Declare Itself as the National Champion?

This isn't the first time a college football team took stock of its accomplishments vis à vis the overall scenario and decided to crown itself.

For example:

• Minnesota decided it was the 1904 titlist after further review well in arrears; and
• Washington determined in arrears that since it beat No 1 Minnesota in the 1960 Rose Bowl -- the AP declared its national champ prior to bowls back then -- it was thus the top dog that season.

Those are only two of many.

Ever since the so-called Power Five conferences decided to go their own way, we've had assurances that one true national champion would emerge.

Yeah, right.

So far, the best those behemoths could do was devise a tournament with only four spots. How they could exclude one champion from the five reginoal conferences defies logic.

Good luck with that.

And if the big brands could freeze out one of their own each season, of course they'd never consider a team from the Other Five conferences. Even an exceptional one.

By any standard except prejudice, the 2017 UCF Golden Knights capped their claim to that status by defeating SEC runner-up Auburn in the Peach Bowl.

Well, why not?

Effete snobs will sneer about their strength of schedule. However, big brands aren't too keen about lining up non-cons from lesser leagues who might actually beat them. The likes of a UCF or Boise State thus don't get many chances to measure up directly.

In essence, then, their hopes of earning a national championship are done before their first kickoff.

 

So who can blame UCF for taking unilateral action and anointing itself the undefeated national champion of Division I football?

And that calls for a parade in their hometown's Magic Kingdom, highlighted by a float featuring team captains QB McKenzie Milton and LB Shaquem Griffin.

 

What's more, the school administration is going full boat by paying coaches' bonuses and ordering rings for the entire entourage. Florida's governor even issued a proclamation confirming the state's recognition of such.

All they're really missing is one thing:

This means Division I has three national titlists this season:

• North Dakota State, who emerged victorious from a real representative bracket;
• Alabama, who just because; and
• UCF, who reign as the undefeated champion of 2018.

If anyone wants to dispute it, just tell them when a true FBS bracket is created, then it'll be time to talk.

Meanwhile, the Knights are walking the walk.