The College Football Playoff Committee is known for making controversial decisions.
This year, the panel found itself at the center of attention when Florida State was omitted from the playoff despite finishing as an undefeated ACC champion. Instead, the final two spots went to one-loss Texas and Alabama.
The run-up to the final reveal on Sunday afternoon was enveloped in controversy. This was largely because of the uncertainty regarding the remaining two spots.
With Florida State’s injured starting quarterback Jordan Travis missing the playoffs, the committee had a tough decision to make.
Yet, the committee’s decision was an unparalleled one – leaving out Florida State, an undefeated power conference champion.
“The consequences of giving in to a narrative of the moment are destructive, far-reaching, and permanent. Not just for Florida State, but college football as a whole,” Florida State athletic director Michael Alford said in a scorching statement after the College Football Playoff field was announced.
“The argument of whether a team is the ‘most deserving OR best’ is a false equivalence,” he continued. “It renders the season up to yesterday irrelevant and significantly damages the legitimacy of the College Football Playoff. The 2023 Florida State Seminoles are the epitome of a total TEAM. To eliminate them from a chance to compete for a national championship is an unwarranted injustice that shows complete disregard and disrespect for their performance and accomplishments. It is unforgivable.”
Expectedly, Florida State’s coach, Mike Norvell, issued a scathing statement following the controversial decision.
“I am disgusted and infuriated with the committee’s decision today to have what was earned on the field taken away because a small group of people decided they knew better than the results of the games,” Norvell said. “What is the point of playing games?”
Norvell added: “What happened today goes against everything that is true and right in college football. A team that overcame tremendous adversity and found a way to win doing whatever it took on the field was cheated today. It’s a sad day for college football.”
His fury was quite valid, especially considering that his team’s record-breaking season was summarily overlooked.
The school’s athletic director, David Coburn, particularly honed in on the committee, arguing against the exclusion from a historical standpoint.
“This ridiculous decision is a departure from the competitive expectations that have stood the test of time in college football,” wrote Alford, who also noted that the Seminoles finished undefeated despite losing Travis, who broke his leg before the end of the regular season. “Wins matter. Losses matter. Those that compete in the arena know this. Those on the committee who also competed in the sport and should have known this have forgotten it.
“They chose predictive competitiveness over proven performance; subjectivity over fact. They have become a committee of prognosticators. They have abandoned their responsibility by discarding their purpose – to evaluate performance on the field. Our players, coaches, and fans – as well as all those who love this sport – deserve better. The committee failed college football today.”
Landing the fifth spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Seminoles edged out two-time defending National Champion Georgia, suggesting a close competition.
Ironically, this position might now have them head-to-head against Georgia in a high-profile Bowl Game.
