The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff bracket was unveiled on Sunday, and while the ESPN show was packed with drama, one of the biggest storylines had already been spoiled — thanks to a last-minute leak.
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A mere minute before ESPN's "Selection Show" kicked off, Brett McMurphy from Action Network dropped the bomb: SMU had made the field, and Alabama was out. The news was a gut punch for the Crimson Tide faithful and set the stage for a hot debate as the bracket was revealed.
Now, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that ESPN wasn't exactly thrilled about this leak. For years, the Playoff selection has been one of the most tightly-guarded secrets in college sports, with rumors swirling, but nothing official getting out. But Sunday, a few sharp eyes beat the clock, and the cat was out of the bag.
As Ross Dellenger from Yahoo Sports pointed out, this was the first time in memory that any major information about the Playoff bracket was leaked ahead of the show. And with good reason. This year's field—especially the inclusion of SMU and exclusion of Alabama—was loaded with controversy, and ESPN surely wanted to deliver it in their usual dramatic fashion.
One minute before the selection show started, @Brett_McMurphy reported that SMU was in the playoff and Alabama was out, citing anonymous sources.
It is believed to be the first leak of any bracket information in the 11-year history of the CFP.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 8, 2024
But here's the deal: ESPN's production crew was already on the clock, working their graphics, preparing for the broadcast. Once that information hit, it likely spread through the ranks in Bristol faster than a Nick Saban recruiting pitch. As much as the network might want to downplay it, the leak set the stage for a whirlwind of opinions—and it made the show even more must-watch than it already was.
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