2023 College Football Playoff: Why No. 5 Florida State was left out of four-team field for No. 4 Alabama

The College Football Playoff field was revealed on Sunday, and as we expected given the results of Saturday’s conference championship games, it was not void of drama. Alabama slid in at the No. 4 spot following its SEC Championship Game win over No. 6 Georgia, which meant that Florida State dipped to No. 5 despite a 13-0 record and win in the ACC Championship Game over Louisville on Saturday. The Seminoles become the first undefeated power conference champion to ever miss out on the CFP field. 

CFP Selection Committee chair Boo Corrigan joined the rankings reveal show Sunday afternoon to explain the process that went into placing the Crimson Tide over the Seminoles. 

“That was the decision, was Alabama at four,” Corrigan said. “Florida State is a different team than they were through the first 11 weeks. Coach [Mike] Norvell, their players, their fans — an incredible season. But as you look at who they are as a team right now without Jordan Travis, without the offensive dynamic that he brings to it, they are a different team and the committee voted Alabama four and Florida State five.” 

At issue is Florida State’s loss of Travis, Florida State’s star quarterback, who suffered a devastating leg injury in FSU’s Week 12 win against North Alabama. To make matters worse, backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker suffered a head injury in the regular season finale against Florida and missed the ACC title game. Rodemaker’s injury isn’t serious, and likely won’t keep him out long-term, but it came at the worst possible time. 

Florida State only scored 16 points in its win against Louisville with third-string quarterback Brock Glenn running the show. It was the lowest point total for any team that won a conference championship on Saturday,…

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Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2023-12-03 18:35:04

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