The College Football Playoff Committee announced the four teams bound for the semifinals on Sunday, and in a shocking twist, SEC Champion Alabama was awarded the fourth and final spot while undefeated ACC Champion Florida State was left at home as the No. 5 seed.
The Crimson Tide’s victory over top-ranked Georgia in the SEC Championship was enough to give them a boost in the eyes of the committee. CFP chair Boo Corrigan said the decision came down to “who do you want to play and who do you not want to play?”
The Michigan team room did seem unenthused about the idea of playing the Crimson Tide.
Michigan's reaction to facing Alabama in the CFP semifinal 👀
(via @ESPNRittenberg) pic.twitter.com/OjNcHdTL8g
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 3, 2023
Alabama fans and national talking heads alike took to social media to say the committee did the right thing, bringing up how the decision is meant to find the best four teams, not the four most deserving.
This sucks for Florida State. It really does. But it’s the right decision. Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama.
— stan verrett (@stanverrett) December 3, 2023
CFB Playoff Committee got it right 🔥
1 Michigan
2 Washington
3 Texas
4 Alabama— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 3, 2023
The truth:
The best 2 teams in CFB right now are Georgia & Alabama
FSU has been a great story.
Texas had a fantastic win back when Deion & Colorado ruled college football
Michigan the best* of an overrated Big 10
And we love the PAC-12 because we feel bad for the PAC-12 pic.twitter.com/BT4xKuLiUZ
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 30, 2023
The committee put in the four best teams, not the most deserving (as it said it would). You have to respect the commitment to the criteria.
1. Michigan
2. Washington
3. Texas
4. Alabama— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) December 3, 2023
Others thought the decision was a slap in the face. ESPN’s Booger McFarland went on a rant, calling the decision a travesty and saying the rankings reflected style points more than a sport.
Booger McFarland is not happy that Alabama got into the CFP over an undefeated Florida State team.
"To me, this is a travesty to the sport…One team has a loss, and that's Alabama. One doesn't in Florida State." pic.twitter.com/3rhBvvpT1D
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 3, 2023
Others took to social media on his side, saying an undefeated resume should be enough and saying the eye test argument for Alabama was incomplete.
(FSU looked better against Louisville last night than Alabama did against Auburn, Arkansas or USF, btw.)
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) December 3, 2023
The CFP selection committee decided to screw Florida State.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 3, 2023
I feel terrible for Florida State. Damn.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 3, 2023
Florida State got absolutely hosed. They have Atleast 2 first round picks. Talent all over the field, goes undefeated, and still on the outside looking in. 2-0 vs SEC teams this season. 2014 Buckeyes got in with a third string QB. FSU Shld have been in!
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) December 3, 2023
The Florida State team room seemed to share their frustrations when the final spot was announced.
Florida State reacting to missing out on the #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/K0SwbkLwZm
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 3, 2023
Injured starting quarterback Jordan Travis made a bold statement of his own about how much he believed in his team.
devastated. heartbroken. In so much disbelief rn, I wish my leg broke earlier in the season so y’all could see this team is much more than the quarterback. I thought results matter. 13-0 and this roster matches up across any team in those top 4 rankings. I am so sorry. Go Noles!
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) December 3, 2023