In the first-ever College Football Playoff back in 2015, Ohio State lost its starting quarterback JT Barrett, but still got into the top four and won the national championship behind backup Cardale Jones. The 2023 Florida State Seminoles just lost Jordan Travis and are trying to accomplish the same feat behind Tate Rodemaker.
However, in this edition of the CFP rankings, FSU didn’t hang onto its spot in the top four. The Seminoles fell to No. 5, one spot behind the Washington Huskies, who are also 11-0. The change wasn’t because of Jordan Travis’s season-ending injury, it had everything to do with Washington’s 22-20 win over No. 11 Oregon State in Corvallis.
While the Huskies were in a Pac-12 battle, winning outright as an underdog, FSU beat up on North Alabama 58-13. FSU’s ACC schedule just hasn’t been tough enough, and Kirk Herbstreit even suggested that a one-loss Texas could get in over undefeated Florida State if the Longhorns avenge their loss.
Kirk saying that if (10-1) Texas beats #13 OU in the Big12 Championship they're "not getting left out" when (11-0) FSU plays #10 Louisville in their Conference Championship game?
— TJ Pittinger (@TJ_Pittinger) November 22, 2023
I like ya, @KirkHerbstreit but at least use a little logic when discussing the sport you cover.
Leaving out an undefeated FSU at the end of the season might be a bit of a stretch, but there is a lot of logic to the Noles falling in the rankings this week. Whether its fair or not, Florida State fans don’t want to hear it.
This #5 ranking better piss these boys off. FSU against the world. Keep Climbing 🍢🍢 pic.twitter.com/EBqgAAjdfs
— Ricky Bobby (@RickyBobby_NY) November 22, 2023
“I’m not mad about dropping in the CFP rankings” pic.twitter.com/zDLTAAxyO7
— Barstool FSU (@FSU_Barstool) November 22, 2023
When asked about the impact of Jordan Travis’s injury on the evaluation of Florida State, CFP commitee chair Boo Corrigan said it “had not impact.”
That isn’t going to stop FSU fans from feeling slighted after losing their quarterback.
Ranking No. 4 Washington over No. 5 Florida State is a move the CFP committee could have made for the last two weeks.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) November 22, 2023
But they made it after Jordan Travis' injury, and that is just a terrible look.
The argument of saying Washington is above Florida State right now because of their resume is invalid. If that’s the case, they’re ahead of Michigan too. Washington is in because of the injury to Jordan Travis, the media just doesn’t want to admit it. #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CFP
— Noah Ritchie (@noahjritchie) November 22, 2023
No matter what Herbstreit says about FSU possibly being left out, there’s almost no chance that an undefeated ACC Champion is left out of the playoff. If Tate Rodemaker can win the next two weeks, then all of this is a moot point.
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