SMU coach Rhett Lashlee says excluding Mustangs from CFP would be ‘wrong to what college football stands for’ [Video]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — SMU coach Rhett Lashlee was adamant near the start of his nearly 16-minute press conference following his team’s 34-31 loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game that he did not have a message for the College Football Playoff selection committee.

In his own words: “They don’t care what I say.”

Lashlee then made calculated remarks about SMU’s playoff outlook.

“I don’t have a message,” Lashlee emphasized.

Followed immediately by:

“It would be criminal if we’re not in. It would be wrong. It would be wrong on so many levels, not just to our team. It would be wrong to what college football stands for — to what it is.”

Maybe that isn’t a direct message, but it does sound like a coach banging the drum for his team as the playoff’s movers and shakers deliberate over what to do with SMU ahead of Sunday’s selection show.

Even Clemson coach Dabo Swinney …