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Deion Sanders weighed in on the controversial College Football Playoff this week after seeing his alma mater Florida State left out of the field. Surprisingly, he backed the committee’s decision to put Alabama in over the Seminoles.
Coach Prime said that there can’t be a playoff without Nick Saban, echoing the sentiments of most viewers after seeing that final decision – Ratings matter more than on-field results.
Selection Sunday was a historic one in 2023. FSU became the first undefeated Power Five champion to be left out of the playoff field after going 13-0. Instead, one-loss Texas and Alabama got the nod.
Disregarding that spotless resume, which included wins over SEC programs LSU and Florida, the committee focused more on what’s been missing in Tallahassee.
Starting quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury in the team’s 12th game vs. North Alabama. The ‘Noles were still able to pick up wins over Florida and No. 14 Louisville using their second- and third-string options, but the offense looked underwhelming in those victories.
As a result, the committee said that FSU was a “different team” than what we’d seen over the first 11 games.
While a large majority of fans believe that Alabama is be a better team that a Jordan Travis-less FSU, it doesn’t mean they agree with the outcome.
Why play the games on the field if the committee can just choose who they believe to be most deserving when the season ends?
Most agree that it’s a money grab used to boost television ratings, with some Florida lawmakers going as far as to cry, “Collusion,” given ESPN’s vested interest in both the playoff and the SEC.
Deion Sanders solidified that stance with his support of putting Alabama in over Florida State.
Deion Sanders backs playoff decision, reveals true villain in selection process.
Deion Sanders appeared on the Dan Le Batard Show to talk about his Colorado program. Before jumping into the outlook for his current team, though, Coach Prime was asked about his alma mater.
“How mad are you today on behalf of FSU?” Le Batard inquired.
Prime’s response was somewhat surprising.
“I can’t be upset; we’re recruiting against those guys. This is business, now,” Sanders said. “A lot of people don’t look at it as business… This is entertainment and this is business. There’s no way you’re going to leave Coach Saban and Alabama out of a playoff.”
It’s not the first time we’ve heard him side against Florida State. Earlier this year, he downplayed his FSU affiliation altogether by saying that he was an HBCU grad, not a Seminole.
Later in the interview, he revealed the real team to mess the selection process up – Washington. If not for the Huskies, the committee would’ve had the option to put another major market team in the field.
“You know who messed it up? Washington. They messed it up. That’s not a huge market and they’re in. You’ve got Michigan, Texas, Alabama, and Washington? They can play, they’re good… but leaving out a Florida State or Georgia, my God.”
Next season the field expands to 12 teams, so we won’t have the dilemma of a P5 champ not having the chance to compete for a national title.