Florida governor declares undefeated UCF college football national champions

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday declared that the University of Central Florida (UCF) will be recognized as the 2017 college football national champions in the state, despite the team not making the College Football Playoff.

The UCF Knights finished its season 13-0 after the team beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day. However, the team plays in the American Athletic Conference, and as a result of its weak schedule was left out of the College Football Playoff bracket.

However, Scott reasoned, the team beat Auburn, which both Georgia and Alabama. Those two teams will play Monday night for the national championship.

The school last week declared itself national champions as well. Athletics Director Danny White said the school will host a championship parade, will hang a banner in its stadium and will pay its football coaches“championship bonuses.”

Rep. Mike Miller (R-Fla.) last week wrote to President Trump, askig him to invite the team to the White House to recognize its achievement.

Trump is expected to attend Monday night’s title game in Atlanta.