Florida State completed an undefeated regular season and clinched the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. Despite their flawless 13-0 record, the team was notably absent from the College Football Playoff selection, causing a strong sense of frustration within the Seminoles’ camp.
Brock Glenn, the quarterback for the Seminoles, expressed a firm belief that if Florida State remains the sole undefeated team from the Power 5 conferences post-playoffs, they should rightfully be acknowledged as the national champions.
Their upcoming game in the Orange Bowl against Georgia from the Southeastern Conference aims to conclude their season with a perfect 14-0 record. The Power 5 conferences encompass the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC.
It’s worth noting that Florida State’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff marked the first time an undefeated Power 5 team missed out on the opportunity since the playoff’s inception in 2014. The committee chose Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama as the top four teams, surpassing Florida State, which landed in fifth place.
Players like Kalen DeLoach emphasized that if Florida State emerges as the only unbeaten team among those mentioned, no further validation would be necessary.
Discussions among players included the prospect of raising a banner, but opinions diverged. While some, like Brock Glenn, entertained the idea, others like Braden Fiske expressed skepticism, considering it somewhat artificial compared to the genuine experience of being part of the playoff.
The playoff committee’s decision to move Florida State down was influenced by the loss of their starting quarterback, Jordan Travis, to a season-ending injury on November 18. Boo Corrigan, the committee chair, highlighted this significant change in the team dynamic without Travis, which impacted their ranking.
Brock Glenn, initially the third-string quarterback, stepped up and made his debut start in the ACC title game due to injuries sidelining the primary and backup quarterbacks. Additionally, Tate Rodemaker, the backup, opted out of the Orange Bowl, announcing his entry into the NCAA transfer portal earlier in the week.
The College Football Playoff semifinals are set for New Year’s Day, featuring matchups between Michigan and Alabama in the Rose Bowl, and Washington against Texas in the Sugar Bowl. The ultimate championship game will take place on January 8.
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