In the final year of the four-team College Football Playoff, the committee made history.
For the first time, an undefeated power conference champion was left out. Florida State, despite a 13-0 record and ACC title, was not one of the four teams selected after losing star quarterback Jordan Travis to a severe leg injury in a win over North Alabama on Nov. 18.
Instead, one-loss teams Texas and Alabama were chosen over the Seminoles.
“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 unforgiveable,” Florida State athletic director Michael Alford said in a scorching statement.
Two-time defending national champion Georgia was not picked either after the Bulldogs were upset by Alabama in the SEC championship game on Saturday, snapping a 29-game winning streak.
But much of the debate from Saturday into Sunday centered on Florida State. The committee opted to go with the four best teams rather than the strongest body of work.
As expected, undefeated Michigan and undefeated Washington were given the top two seeds. Michigan will meet No. 4 Alabama and Washington faces No. 3 Texas.
There was real drama for the playoff reveal for the first time in several seasons, mostly due to the injury suffered by Travis.
Without him, Florida State struggled against 5-7 Florida last weekend with backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker and had trouble with Louisville in Saturday’s ACC title game. Freshman Brock Glenn started against the Cardinals after Rodemaker suffered a concussion in the win over Florida, and was even less impressive against a Louisville team coming off a loss to mediocre Kentucky.
Texas, the Big 12 champion which will move to the SEC next year, got in courtesy of its big September win at Alabama. It will be the Longhorns’ first playoff appearance.
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