Undefeated Florida State Seminoles benched from playoffs
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Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
Florida State University's first loss of the football season wasn't on the field.
Driving the news: After a 13-0 season, the ACC champions were ranked fifth by the College Football Playoff selection committee on Sunday — behind 12-1 teams Alabama and Texas — which means the Noles won't get to compete for the National Championship.
- This is the first time an undefeated Power 5 conference champion has been left out of the four-team playoff, which began in 2014.
Why it matters: FSU fans all over the state, including in Tampa Bay, are devastated considering it wasn't an easy road to perfection.
- Star quarterback Jordan Travis broke his leg last month. Then, his backup, Tate Rodemaker, suffered a concussion the next week while beating the Gators.
- That left freshman Brock Glenn, who had thrown just four passes at that point, to lead the charge against No. 14 Louisville in the ACC title game. And the Noles still won.
What they're saying: Playoff rankings aren't just decided on wins. One of the factors the committee bases its decision on is availability of key players.
- "Florida State is a different team than they were through the first 11 weeks," College Football Playoff committee chair Boo Corrigan explained on ESPN. "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."
The other side: Sen. Rick Scott posted a letter to Corrigan on social media, asking for more transparency on the decision, noting that FSU was ranked 4th last week after beating the Gators without Travis.
- Florida State loses out on not just a chance at the championship but also $2 million in playoff revenue distribution, he claims in the letter.
Seminole Club of Pinellas president Charlie Radigan wasn't too deflated to see the rankings. He told Axios he anticipated the rankings "given the politics of the committee," which he feels favors the Southeastern Conference. "The SEC will not be denied!"
- He's confident the Noles will take the Orange Bowl against 6th-ranked Georgia on Dec. 30, and doesn't bank on Michigan and Washington remaining undefeated.
- "FSU and I hope the AP will rank us number 1. The national champs," Radigan said.