Lashlee Sparks Playoff Debate | Wilmington News

Wilmington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 18, 2026 · 1m

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee’s bold playoff stance is sparking fire: he argues ACC champs deserve automatic bids—even if unranked—and took a shot at Sun Belt’s James Madison for making the playoff last year, claiming Duke (ACC champ) had a weaker record. The backlash was swift and loud, with JMU fans flooding social media to shut him down. His comments reignite the debate over merit vs. conference pedigree in the expanded playoff—and prove why college football’s playoff conversations never quiet down. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise…