TALLAHASSEE, FL - DECEMBER 2: A general view of a Florida State Seminoles Helmet on the field before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on December 2, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Louisiana Monroe 42 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ACC champion and undefeated FSU Seminoles get snubbed by the CFP committee
After going undefeated in the regular season, and winning its conference championship with its third-string quarterback, Florida State University has been shut out of the opportunity to play for a national title. Instead, the Seminoles will face Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
The team slipped to No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings. A committee of current and former athletic directors and former coaches and players determine the rankings. The process also takes into consideration whether teams won their conference championship, the strength of their schedule, and the outcomes of common opponents, among others.
The decision has been met with anger and derision. In a statement, FSU Head Football Coach Mike Norvell said he was quote: “disgusted and infuriated with the committee’s decision” while athletics director Michael Alford said the move “has forever damaged the credibility of the institution that is the College Football Playoff.”
Speaking to ESPN, CFP selection committee chairman Boo Corrigan explained the decision.
“Florida State is a different team than they were the first 11 weeks,” he said. “If 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.”
