Florida State was snubbed by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee on Sunday, being left out of the CFP in favor of Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama despite going 13-0 and winning the ACC title.
Part of the reasoning from the Committee was the season-ending injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis. He offered his own response on Sunday:
Jordan Travis @jordantrav13devastated. heartbroken. In so much disbelief rn, I wish my leg broke earlier in the season so y'all could see this team is much more than the quarterback. I thought results matter. 13-0 and this roster matches up across any team in those top 4 rankings. I am so sorry. Go Noles!
CFP Selection Chair Boo Corrigan said during an appearance on ESPN that Florida State was a "different team than they were in the first 11 weeks," referencing the Travis injury.
ESPN College Football @ESPNCFBCFP selection committee chair Boo Corrigan on the decision to leave FSU out of the <a href="">#CFBPlayoff</a>. <a href="">
"You can lose a running back, you can lose a receiver but when you lose a quarterback as dynamic as Jordan Travis, it changes their offense in its entirety and that was a really big factor," he continued. "Feel horrible for Coach Norvell and those players. But again, they're a different team than they were earlier in the year. You know it's been a long couple of days."
That was the Committee's decision. But more than a few folks on social media were furious on Florida State's behalf:
Ryan Phillips @RumorsandRantsFlorida State should be furious. Don't care about losing their quarterback, those players earned a spot.
Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 @BarrettSalleeThe committee basically said that Florida State's first 10 games don't count. What a joke.
Mike Greenberg @EspngreenyFlorida State scheduled an SEC powerhouse. They won a power five conference. They won all their games, overcoming adversity along the way. This isn't figure skating, judges should never have been a part of it. <a href="">#FSU</a> <a href="">#CFP</a>
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedcThat is some straight up BS on Florida State.
And then there was the response from ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and FSU athletic director Michael Alford. Neither held back:
Andrew Carter @_andrewcarterACC Commissioner Jim Phillips calls it "unfathomable" that Florida State was left out. "Florida State deserved better. College football deserved better." <br><br>Statement from him: <a href="">
Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbachFSU athletic director Michael Alford: "The consequences of giving in to a narrative of the moment are destructive, far reaching, and permanent. Not just for Florida State, but college football as a whole. … It is unforgivable." <a href="">
It was a tough spot for the CFP Committee. Michigan and Washington went undefeated and won conference championships without major injuries. They were going to get in. Texas won the Big 12 with one loss and beat Alabama, while the Crimson Tide won the SEC and beat the former No. 1 team in the country in Georgia to do so. Both of those teams made strong cases to be selected.
Florida State, meanwhile, managed just 219 yards of offense in a 16-6 win over Louisville on Saturday night in the ACC Championship Game. Third-string quarterback Brock Glenn was 8-of-21 for just 55 yards in the contest against a defense that gave up 244 passing yards per game this season.
And second-stringer Tate Rodemaker didn't exactly light up the Florida Gators in his lone start this season, finishing 12-of-25 for 134 yards.
The Seminoles won without Travis—who threw for 2,755 yards, 20 touchdowns and two interceptions on the season while adding seven rushing scores—behind a stout defense and solid running game.
But how would a one-dimensional offense have fared against far more complete teams like Michigan or Washington in the CFP? For that matter, would Florida State even be favored against some of the top teams that missed out on the Playoff like Georgia or Ohio State?
We'll find out when the Seminoles and Bulldogs face off in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. A blowout loss against Georgia may justify the CFP Committee's decision in the eyes of some. At Florida State, however, the fury felt Sunday may never fade.
