The recent announcement of the four teams selected for the College Football Playoff, including the Michigan Wolverines, Washington Huskies, Texas Longhorns, and Alabama Crimson Tide, left many fans and experts shocked. However, it wasn’t the inclusion of these four teams that stirred controversy but rather the omission of the Florida State Seminoles.
FSU’s exclusion from the CFP selection has caused significant debate, especially within the program. FSU’s Athletics Director, Michael Alford, expressed his disappointment, stating that the committee’s decision had damaged the credibility of the College Football Playoff institution.
Florida State had an outstanding 2023 season, finishing with a 13-0 record, marking the third time in program history they achieved this feat. However, their star quarterback, Jordan Travis, suffered a season-ending broken leg during a game against North Alabama on November 18. Despite this setback, the Seminoles continued to perform well and managed to secure victories, including a come-from-behind win against Florida in Gainesville.
Their undefeated record was not sufficient to convince the College Football Playoff committee to include them. Instead, the committee selected Alabama for the playoffs, making it the Crimson Tide’s eighth appearance in the CFP, the most of any team.
Florida State’s exclusion from the playoffs is particularly controversial because they are the first undefeated team from a major Power-5 conference to be left out since the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014.
Committee chair Boo Corrigan explained the rationale behind the decision on ESPN, citing the absence of quarterback Jordan Travis as a significant factor. According to Corrigan, the Seminoles were viewed as a different team without Travis, who brought a unique offensive dynamic to the lineup. This change in their identity, combined with their recent challenges, contributed to the committee’s decision.
The omission of Florida State from the College Football Playoff has raised questions about the selection process and ignited debates about the criteria used to determine playoff participants. The decision’s controversy continues to be a hot topic in the world of college football.