Former Florida coach turned ESPN analyst Dan Mullen made his picks ahead of conference championship on Friday night, and in the battle for the Conference USA title, he took James Madison over New Mexico State.
Just one slight problem: The Dukes aren’t playing New Mexico State. In fact, they aren’t even in the same conference.
While New Mexico State is traveling to face a 12-0 Liberty team that has a real New Year’s Six shot after breaking into the College Football Playoff rankings, James Madison resides in the Sun Belt, which it is ineligible to win despite finishing 11-1 and atop the East Division standings.
— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) December 2, 2023
Considering the Dukes should be playing for a conference title this weekend — and Conference USA had an ineligible team of its own near the top of the standings in Jacksonville State — it’s an understandable mistake for Mullen to make.
But still, did no one who looked over this graphic before it was posted notice that? Seriously?