The Central Florida Knights’ football program continues to proclaim iself as the true reigning national champions following an undefeated 2017 season.
It’s a whole new level of absurd, including the Knight actually hanging a national tittle banner inside Spectrum Stadium.
For the first time, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is speaking out on the topic. As the actual defending champs, he has every right to be a bit upset over what has been a gimmicky offseason in Orlando.
Saban also didn’t hold back in his contempt for UCF.
“If you honor and respect the system that we have, (despite) some of the imperfections that you understand that the system has, then you wouldn’t do something out of respect for the system that we have,” Saban told USA Today. “I guess anybody has the prerogative to claim anything. But self-proclaimed is not the same as actually earning it. And there’s probably a significant number of people who don’t respect people who make self-proclaimed sort of accolades for themselves.”
Ouch. Saban isn’t directly saying he doesn’t respect Central Florida. Though, it’s pretty easy to read between the lines here. He also joins this local Alabama restaurant in absolutely shading the Knights’ football program.
Alabama ultimately took out Georgia in the National Championship game while Central Florida made quick work of Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
While those in Orlando want to hold on to some sort of false narrative, Alabama is looking to repeat as champions. The only thing that could change this disconnect is a meeting between the two in the College Football Playoff this season.
Please let it happen.