By Vasili Aggelis
As revealed on December 3, 2023, Florida State became the first undefeated Power 5 conference champion to have not been given the opportunity to compete in the College Football Playoff. Due to its nature of being one of the most controversial decisions in the history of college football, the “snubbing” of Florida State immediately became the most heated conversation in sports. In addition to drastically impacting Florida State’s current program, the decision sets a dangerous standard for the future of college football.
As all fans who have followed Florida State’s season this year know, the only reason the Seminoles were excluded from the playoff was their lack of a star quarterback at the end of the season. Jordan Travis, who was playing like a Heisman contender, suffered a devastating injury against North Alabama. What seemed like the most inconsequential game for FSU at the beginning of the season became its most impactful in a matter of seconds, with their superstar quarterback having his season ended within a few moments. Despite this huge loss, Florida State fought hard, beating Florida, their state rival, on rivalry weekend and later beating Louisville in the ACC Championship game. Although the team displayed its strong resiliency after Jordan Travis’s injury, the offense, led by Tate Rodemaker and later Brock Glenn, never seemed truly convincing. The wins were due to defensive prowess more than they were offensive efficiency. The reality of the Florida State Seminoles became clear: they were nowhere close to as explosive or exciting as they were with their superstar quarterback.
Despite their offensive struggles, it seemed destined that Florida State would be included in the list of the four best teams in the country and be invited to play in the College Football Playoff. However, once the number three team was revealed to be Texas, Florida State’s strong chances seemed to disappear. For FSU to get in, the playoff committee would have had decided that they were better than the SEC champions, Alabama. Once the number four team was revealed, the reality became clear: Florida State would not be competing in the College Football Playoff. Alabama was revealed at number four, thus eliminating all of FSU’s hopes.
Although Florida State lost their quarterback and subsequently their explosive offense, disallowing Florida State from the CFP was the wrong decision. Football is a team sport, and there are dozens of passionate and talented athletes on the FSU football team other than Jordan Travis. Excluding Florida State prevents talented players like Jared Verse and Keon Coleman, who are both likely declaring for the NFL Draft within the next few weeks, from playing the games of their lives. Moreover, not including Florida State in the CFP demonstrates a reality that should alarm future contenders: a team’s playoff chances come down to one player—that is, the quarterback. The committee’s decision delivers the message that a quarterback’s season-ending injury will be enough to exclude an entire team, even though football centers around more than just one.
