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The Florida State football team was on the wrong side of history this weekend. On Sunday, the Seminoles became the first undefeated Power Five champion to be left out of the College Football Playoff.
The news sent shockwaves throughout the sports world as media members weighed in on the unprecedented decision.
The committee’s thinking behind giving Alabama the fourth and final slot had more to do with injury than on-field results. FSU was a perfect 13-0, winning each of their last two games with reserve quarterbacks.
While some would argue that should strengthen the resume, the selection committee saw it as a drawback.
Chairman Boo Corrigan said that Florida State “is a different team” without starter Jordan Travis in the lineup, not that the team could control his breaking his leg in a game against North Alabama.
Many around the industry immediately rushed to social media to rip the decision to penalize the Seminoles for a season-ending injury.
“Why even play the games?” those critics asked, believing that the accomplishments of the regular season are diminished if the committee can just choose to leave a 13-0 team out of the national championship conversation.
It’s all a sham. pic.twitter.com/vnbZ3zNecP
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) December 3, 2023
Using the ‘eye test’ instead of on-field results, many believed the biased pick was used to boost television ratings rather than reward the team that had proven more throughout the season.
Take a bow @ADavidHaleJoint
This is the scathing renunciation that so perfectly captures the anger I feel in thinking about those FSU players
The integrity of the game was sacrificed in the pursuit of ratingshttps://t.co/fJX6SekZ52 pic.twitter.com/YM6z4uNuI2
— T-Bob Hebert (@TBob53) December 3, 2023
It’s not surprising given the committee’s history of essentially picking who they want, as it seems the criteria for determining the field changes from year to year, and sometimes from week to week.
So now the committee says they handicap hypothetical matchups to make selections? What is this man lol
— SHREDDER (@SHREDDER_365) December 3, 2023
Lawmakers explore legal action after FSU playoff decision.
Fron Office Sports reports that Florida lawmakers are already considering legal action after seeing the Seminoles left out of the CFP.
“Florida lawmakers already have an appetite to propose state legislation to protest Florida State not making the College Football Playoff,” the site wrote. “At least three government officials in Florida have commented publicly so far criticizing the CFP’s selection process.”
Thoseofficials include Governor Ron Desantis and former FSU player Corey Simon, now a Florida state senator.
“The corruption of college football rears its ugly head again,” Simon posted on X. “ESPN and Disney have a vested interest in the SEC participating in the CFP. Lawsuits should be filed tomorrow.”
While the idea of a lawsuit sounds severe, what basis a potential case would hold is still unknown. Is there a way to prove the committee conspired against Florida State for the benefit of the television ratings? Is there another angle to look at in the reasoning behind the choice?
It’s unclear what direction a bill could take — but legislators are currently discussing multiple options.
Whether or not these lawmakers have a leg to stand on remains to be seen. What is clear is that those around the Sunshine State are livid with this FSU playoff decision.