Condoleezza Rice to join College Football Playoff committee, according to report

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be a part of the new College Football Playoff selection committee, according to an Associated Press report.

Even though Rice’s public image is mostly associated with politics and the United States government, she’s no stranger to the sports world. Originally from Birmingham, Ala., a college football hotbed, she and another woman became the first female members at Augusta National Golf Club when they joined last year. She has said that her dream job is that of NFL commissioner, and was rumored to be up for the job when Paul Tagliabue retired in 2006.

Rice is certainly an interesting choice for the committee. While she seems to have plenty of experience as a sports fan, that doesn’t translate to professional experience. How closely does she follow college football and how knowledgeable is she on the subject? That remains to be seen. But, the college football insider-types -- athletic directors, conference commissioners, etc. -- aren’t necessarily in a better position to judge national title contenders, and Rice would possibly have the advantage of appearing impartial. That might not be the case for individuals earning their paychecks from specific conferences and schools.

Although, Rice might not be able to shake an appearance of bias when it comes to the Crimson Tide.

“I am going to the game, and I will be in full-throated support of the Crimson Tide.”

Several names have reportedly been added to the selection committee, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Rice is the first non-athletic director or conference commissioner to reportedly join the committee.

• The Eye of Texas: All-access inside the Longhorn Network

• Video: Iowa State coach goes volcanic on refs

• Your full Week 6 CFB TV schedule guide

• Big games: Ohio State-Northwestern | Washington-Stanford | TCU-Oklahoma

• USC coaching rumors underway

• Up-to-the-minute college football scores