TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — At least in Florida, the University of Central Florida football team reigns after Gov. Rick Scott signed a proclamation declaring the unbeaten Knights the national champions of college football.
“Florida is home to the country’s best college football, and this season, UCF proved to the world that they can beat any team. By having a perfect season and beating the only team that defeated both Alabama and Georgia this season, the UCF Knights are clearly champions. I wish both teams good luck tonight in Atlanta. Charge On.”
This is how it reads:
NATIONAL CHAMPION UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS
WHEREAS, Florida is home to the country’s best college football, having claimed 11 national championships between the University of Florida, the University of Miami and Florida State University; and
WHEREAS, the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights won the American Athletic Conference Championship by beating the Memphis Tigers, 62-55, on December 2, 2017; and
WHEREAS, on January 1, 2018, the UCF Knights completed an undefeated football season by beating the Auburn Tigers in the Peach Bowl, 34-27; and
WHEREAS, the UCF Knights are the only undefeated team in NCAA Division I football this season; and
WHEREAS, on November 11, 2017, the Auburn Tigers, who lost to the UCF Knights, beat the Georgia Bulldogs, 40-17; and
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2017, the Auburn Tigers, who lost to the UCF Knights, beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 26-14; and
WHEREAS, the College Football Playoff final on Monday, January 8, 2018, is between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs, who both lost to the Auburn Tigers, who lost to the UCF Knights;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim that the UCF Knights are this season’s best college football team and will be recognized as the 2017 College Football National Champions in Florida.
BOOM! UCF National Champions 👕 is now available!
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) January 4, 2018
👉 https://t.co/C4eLFU5Jcf
Plenty more Natty merch on the way, so stay tuned #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/CEFeYnJw4F