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Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury in Florida State’s 11th game of the season. After getting his squad off to a perfect 10-0 start, the signal caller was forced to watch the rest of the year from the sidelines.
The quarterback’s broken leg wouldn’t cost the Seminoles any wins, but it ultimately removed the team’s final goal from the table.
Despite winning games over Florida and Louisville with reserve players under center, FSU was left out of the College Football Playoff. The ‘Noles landed on the wrong side of history, becoming the first Power Five conference champion not having the opportunity to compete for a national title.
Instead, they landed an Orange Bowl invite which many believe they should decline.
Florida State was jumped by one-loss Texas and Alabama with the committee saying the Seminoles are a “different team” without Travis in the lineup.
The decision sparked immediate outrage amongst college football fans, with many asking, “Why play the regular season if the committee will pick who they want in the end?”
It’s a valid question, though many believe they know the motive behind the selection – TV ratings.
A handful of Florida lawmakers have even explored legal action against the College Football Playoff, though it’s not yet known what direction a potential suit would take.
As everyone around the sport continues to debate the committee’s decision, Jordan Travis has taken a moment to apologize.
devastated. 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!
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) December 3, 2023
Jordan Travis sends message to Jalen Milroe.
If that apology doesn’t show you what kind of person Travis is, his message to Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe should.
After learning of Alabama’s inclusion in the CFP, the Tide passer posted photos to his Instagram account with a caption, “Your success is the best response to the doubts of those who underestimated you.”
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Milroe certainly had his fair share of critics early in the season.
Travis, who could’ve been bitter, chose to rise above. Just as breaking his leg wasn’t something Travis could control, Milroe had no influence on the CFP committee’s final decision.
“Go win it all, brodie,” he responded. That message is even more powerful considering it would essentially prove the committee right should Bama win the title.
The response shouldn’t surprise you, though. This is the same person who launched a clothing line on his personal NIL brand to both market and benefit backup Tate Rodemaker monetarily.
In the end, Travis and those other Seminole seniors are the ones most impacted by the omission. Instead of getting a chance to prove it on the field, as they’ve done in each of their previous 13 games, their fates have been decided by the opinions of folks in a room.
A sad day for college football, but hey, I’m sure a lot of eyes will be tuned into that Alabama-Michigan game.