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Kirk Herbstreit has been adamant about the College Football Playoff committee’s decision to give Alabama the final seed over Florida State. He’s been in agreement that the injury to starting quarterback Jordan Travis makes the Seminoles a different team than what was seen over the first 11 games of the year.
Social media evidence shows that Herbstreit had his doubts about the ‘Noles even before that season-ending setback, though. It seems he was lobbying for the Crimson Tide to make the CFP all along.
The decision to leave FSU out was made on Sunday but the debate for that potential final playoff spot has long been brewing.
Why such sensitivity from FSU fans. If you win out you’ll be IN the top 4 regardless. Who cares who’s 1 or 2. Goal is to FINISH in top 4!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 12, 2014
Up until a few weeks ago, six to eight legitimate national championship contenders remained.
Only one found itself in FSU’s situation.
Jordan Travis suffered a broken leg against North Alabama, forcing him to the sidelines while the Seminoles looked to complete an undefeated season.
They’d do so, even with backup options having to fill in against Florida and Louisville, whom they both beat by two scores. Based on Herbstreit’s previous statement, that would solidify their spot in the playoff.
Unfortunately, a bit of chaos on the final week of the season kept them out.
Alabama upset Georgia, immediately landing the top win of the season. Using a committee rule that allows voters to use the “unavailability of key players… that may have affected a team’s performance during the season or likely will affect its postseason performance,” as a deciding factor.
And it would.
In an unprecedented decision, Florida State became the first undefeated P5 conference champion to miss the field.
After the fact, Kirk Herbstreit had the following to say about FSU’s omission.
Selection Sunday. Some tough decisions for the committee this year. Know some people are frustrated and I get it. Here’s my opinion of the final spot going to Bama… pic.twitter.com/ZgDqRdIP5d
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 3, 2023
“Unfortunately, significant injuries impact teams as much as head-to-head matchups and conference championships,” he later wrote online. “You can’t ignore the impact the loss of Jordan Travis had on the Noles. Sucks… but big part of a team’s final evaluation.”
Kirk Herbstreit had Alabama over FSU before the injury.
After hearing the explanation, Seminole fans did some digging. What they found was a clip from College GameDay on the day Travis went down with the leg injury.
On the morning show, the crew debated what would happen should Michigan, Washington, Florida State, Texas, and Alabama all win out – which would ultimately happen!
Here is Herbstreit’s response.
We tried throwing our hats in the ring for some CFP Chaos Scenarios 🤔🤣#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/n3lJuTmRzW
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 18, 2023
Even with the Seminoles at full strength, he’s hesitant to put them in over a one-loss Alabama.
Florida State fans immediately bashed the college football analyst, who seemed to have his mind made up the entire time.
“Herbstreit and ESPN started laying the foundation for their propaganda before Jordan Travis was hurt. FSU or UW was always going to be squeezed out. The injury just gave them an easy target.”
“Herbstreit picked Bama over FSU before the injury. It was never about Jordan Travis; the injury was a convenient excuse.”
Folks in Florida are not happy with the outcome, leading lawmakers to explore legal action. Can they find evidence of collusion against FSU?
Who knows?
But this is certainly a BAD look for Kirk Herbstreit.