Florida State University's football team, the Seminoles, was left out of the College Football Playoff (CFP) despite having an undefeated season and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship [Forbes]. The CFP committee selected Michigan, Alabama, Washington, and Texas as the four teams to compete for the national championship [ESPN].
The decision not to include Florida State sparked controversy and debate among fans, players, and sports analysts [NPR]. Many argued that the Seminoles deserved a spot in the playoff due to their perfect record [Tampa Bay Times]. Head coach Mike Norvell expressed his disappointment but also emphasized the importance of the team's accomplishments on and off the field [ESPN].
The selection committee cited various factors for excluding Florida State, including its strength of schedule, quality of wins, and performance in eye tests [USA Today]. Committee chairman Bill Hancock explained that they believed Alabama was a stronger contender and had a more impressive résumé [Sports Illustrated].
The snub by the committee left Florida State players and fans devastated [Washington Post]. Quarterback Jordan Travis expressed his frustration, stating he wished his leg had been injured earlier in the season to draw attention to the team's achievements [Bleacher Report]. Florida State Athletic Director Michael Alford criticized the committee's decision, calling it unforgivable and claiming the season was deemed irrelevant [NBC News].
While the decision was met with backlash, some defended the committee's choice, pointing to the strength of Alabama and the overall competitiveness of the playoff field [Dallas News]. Others argued that Florida State's schedule and margin of victory did not compare favorably to other playoff contenders [Larry Brown Sports].
The College Football Playoff matchups are Michigan vs. Alabama and Washington vs. Texas, with the winners advancing to the national championship game [Wall Street Journal]. Despite their exclusion from the playoff, Florida State earned praise for their success during the season and in winning the ACC championship [SI.com]. The Seminoles will now await their bowl game assignment [USA Today].