Sports world reacts to 13-0 Florida State being excluded from CFP: 'Devastated. Heartbroken.'
The Florida State Seminoles didn't know it at the time, but their chances of making the College Football Playoff went down when quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending left leg injury against North Alabama. In doing so, it marked the first time that an undefeated Power Five team missed the playoff.
Michigan (13-0) is the top seed, followed by Washington (13-0), Texas (12-1) and Alabama (12-1). The No. 5 Seminoles finished 13-0 and defeated Louisville in the ACC title game 16-6. Ultimately, the committee leaned on its criteria about key players being injured when considering the playoff teams.
After the news came down, Travis took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his heartbreak over he and his teammates being snubbed.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips went a step further and called the decision to leave out Florida State "unfathomable."
devastated. heartbroken. In so much disbelief rn, I wish my leg broke earlier in the season so y’all could see this team is much more than the quarterback. I thought results matter. 13-0 and this roster matches up across any team in those top 4 rankings. I am so sorry. Go Noles!
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) December 3, 2023
Florida State scheduled an SEC powerhouse. They won a power five conference. They won all their games, overcoming adversity along the way. This isn’t figure skating, judges should never have been a part of it. #FSU #CFP
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 3, 2023
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 3, 2023
FSU’s watch party pic.twitter.com/SJayBmzJlO
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 3, 2023
Florida State held a CFP selection show watch party at its stadium.
I cannot imagine the scene.— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 3, 2023
Booger McFarland is not happy that Alabama got into the CFP over an undefeated Florida State team.
"To me, this is a travesty to the sport...One team has a loss, and that's Alabama. One doesn't in Florida State." pic.twitter.com/3rhBvvpT1D— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 3, 2023
FSU athletic director Michael Alford: “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. … It is unforgivable.” pic.twitter.com/JtCdy7rCHJ
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 3, 2023
It should be:
1. Michigan
2. Washington
3. Texas
4. Florida State— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 3, 2023
I think the most interesting point no one is talking about is that the CFP has literally written into its principles a justification for leaving out FSU.
“Unavailability of key players that likely will affect its postseason performance.” pic.twitter.com/B3iVgtWqLT— Blake Byler (@blakebyler45) December 3, 2023
