Archie Manning Leaves College Football Playoff Committee

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI/CBS Sports) — The College Playoff Selection Committee is down a man before it gets started.

Legendary Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning has decided to take what is being termed a “leave of absence” from the organization, as a result of a recent surgery. The CFP made the announcement Monday morning.

(ESPN)

“We will miss Archie,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock said. “He has such a great knowledge of college football and history with the game, but we all understand his reason for taking a leave. I wish him all the best and look forward to his return in 2015.”

ESPN first reported the news.

The committtee will not replace Manning, instead choosing to go with 12 voters for 2014; Manning expects to return to the organization in 2015. Manning’s absence will cause no change in the voting procedure, Hancock told CBSSports.com.

Committee members, which have been meeting since November 2013, will gather Monday for the first time in preparation for their first weekly poll.

The initial set of CFP rankings will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Manning is one of the most revered figures in the game, chairman of the National Football Foundation and father to current NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning.