Despite finishing as an undefeated ACC champion, Florida State was left off the College Football Playoff.
One-loss Texas and Alabama got the final two spots, with undefeated Michigan and Washington also getting in as expected.
The final two spots were enveloped in controversy leading up to Sunday afternoon’s reveal with Florida State missing injured starting quarterback Jordan Travis.
But the decision to exclude an undefeated power conference champion is unprecedented.
“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,” Florida State athletic director Michael Alford said in a scorching statement after the College Football Playoff field was announced.
“The argument of whether a team is the ‘most deserving OR best’ is a false equivalence,” he continued. “It renders the season up to yesterday irrelevant and significantly damages the legitimacy of the College Football Playoff. The 2023 Florida State Seminoles are the epitome of a total TEAM. To eliminate them from a chance to compete for a national championship is an unwarranted injustice that shows complete disregard and disrespect for their performance and accomplishments. It is unforgivable.”
Florida State coach Mike Norvell later issued a similarly furious statement.
“I am disgusted and infuriated with the committee’s decision today to have what was earned on the field taken away because a small group of people decided they knew better than the results of the games,” Norvell said. “What is the point of playing games?”
Norvell added: “What happened today goes against everything that is true and right in college football. A team that overcame tremendous adversity and found a way to win doing whatever it took on the field was cheated today. It’s a sad day for college football.”
Alford particularly honed in on the committee leaving out Florida State from a historical standpoint.
“This ridiculous decision is a departure from the competitive expectations that have stood the test of time in college football,” wrote Alford, who also noted that the Seminoles finished undefeated despite losing Travis, who broke his leg before the end of the regular season. “Wins matter. Losses matter. Those that compete in the arena know this. Those on the committee who also competed in the sport and should have known this have forgotten it.
“They chose predictive competitiveness over proven performance; subjectivity over fact. They have become a committee of prognosticators. They have abandoned their responsibility by discarding their purpose – to evaluate performance on the field. Our players, coaches, and fans – as well as all those who love this sport – deserve better. The committee failed college football today.”
Florida State finished fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings, one spot ahead of two-time defending National Champion Georgia whom they’ll likely face in a high-profile Bowl Game.
