Tag: jordan travis

Florida State’s college football playoff snub from is enough to make you question the CFP’s purpose

FSU deserved so much better from the CFP committee.

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Good morning, Winners! I hope you all have had a fantastic weekend. Well, uh, FSU fans, I know you probably didn’t. But I hope there was … something redeemable about your weekend outside of FSU’s snub!

What happened to Florida State over the weekend does feel like a travesty the more I think about it.

FSU did everything right. It won out with its schedule. It went out of its way to schedule a tough non-conference opponent on a neutral field to start off its season. None of that mattered. It ultimately came down to the fact that its quarterback broke his leg.

That’s why this is so frustrating. Perfection is an impossible standard to hold someone to. Team record, style points, health. Everything has to go right.

But it’s football. Nothing ever goes right. Somebody is going to get hurt. Things are going to go bad. It’s what teams do with the unfortunate circumstances they get handed that ultimately make them champions. FSU’s fate was decided by a room of 13 people before it ever got a chance to prove itself. Something about that feels wholly unfair to me.

RELATED: FSU’s Mike Norvell crushes CFP committee over snub

College football has always been about pageantry when it comes to the postseason — even in the BCS era. It’s about who you beat and when you beat them. It’s also about how well you beat them. College football gave up one imprecise system for another. And it’ll do it again next season when eight more teams are added to the playoff action. Then all this hemming and hawing over FSU wouldn’t be necessary.

But I just want to ask the question: Do we really need all of this? Does this really capture the essence of college football?

For centuries college football was about so much more than playoff implications and postseason play. The only thing people cared about the rivalry between their alma mater and that other off-brand school down the highway.

We didn’t fall in love with this sport by calculating strength of schedule week after week. It was Michigan vs. Ohio State that brought us there. It was Auburn vs. Alabama. Texas vs. Oklahoma. That’s why we love college football.

Conference realignment is going to rob us of that. As more time goes by, those rivalries will begin to fade into the background. And, more and more, all people will talk about — and all teams will schedule for — will be the playoff. Playoff this. Playoff that.

But that’s not my college football. In my college football, FSU has already proven itself worthy enough to be called a champion.

I don’t need playoff games to see that.

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What standin’ on binness looks like

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Deebo Samuel and the 49ers have been trash-talking the Eagles for almost a calendar year since the 49ers lost the NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco came out and walked the walk on Sunday with a 42-19 drubbing over the Eagles in Philadelphia. Sheesh. Robert Zeglinski has more in his weekly awards column.

“Even with all of Nick Sirianni’s brash motivational tactics to get his team ready, the 49ers took a needle to the Eagles’ balloon and popped it without mercy. Seriously, after a first quarter where it looked like both squads were feeling each other out, San Francisco flat-out opened the salvos and left Philadelphia’s beloved “birds” in tatters. From right around halfway through the second quarter, the 49ers scored a touchdown on six consecutive possessions. They outgained the Eagles by over 100 yards, gained over eight yards an offensive play, and were effectively perfect on third down.

The Eagles had their [expletive] handed to them. A security guard getting into it with linebacker Dre Greenlaw was probably the most fight anyone associated with Philadelphia showed all day. I legitimately can’t remember a ruthless road whooping of a Super Bowl contender like this.”

We need round three of this, man. This is the sort of rivalry that makes the game so much fun. Please, football gods. Let us have it.

Brock Purdy isn’t Kyle Shanahan’s MVP

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

It’s a cold world we live in, folks. Brock Purdy woke up this morning to find himself tied atop the NFL in MVP odds alongside Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott, our Prince Grimes writes.

But his own coach is raining on his parade! On Friday, Kyle Shanahan made the case for one of Purdy’s teammates over him — it’s Christian McCaffery.

“Yeah, I think without a doubt,” Shanahan told reporters Friday. “I know it goes to quarterbacks the majority of the time, and there’s plenty of worthy quarterbacks, but you definitely can’t say that Christian’s behind anyone. He’s as valuable in this league as anyone.”

Someone needs to check back in with Kyle after Sunday’s performance. But, as Prince points out, he’s making a pretty good point here. McCaffery has been the 49ers best player all season long and he also had an incredible game against the Eagles.

But, then again, who didn’t on Sunday? Sheesh.

Quick hits: Ah, yes, more officiating complaints … Ime Udoka vs. LeBron … and more

— Fans were livid at these WILD decisions from officials at the end of Packers-Chiefs on Sunday night. It completely changed the game. Mary Clarke has more.

— Charles Curtis has more on the beef between LeBron James and Ime Udoka. We finally know what they said and, uh, well, you need to hear it.

— Here’s Christian D’Andrea with the best and worst of Week 13 in the NFL including MVP love for Tyreek Hill, who probably deserves it.

— Mike Greenberg is upset over FSU, too. He just like me fr. Meghan Hall has more.

— Taylor Swift riding the emotional roller coaster of a Chiefs game is so relatable. Caroline Darny has more.

— If you don’t have Ezekiel Elliot on your fantasy team, now’s the time to pick him up. Charles Curtis has more.

Thanks so much for reading, folks! Have a fantastic week. Let’s chat again tomorrow. Until then, peace!

-Sykes✌️

Jordan Travis had the most heartbreaking reaction to Florida State missing the College Football Playoff

It’s not your fault, Jordan Travis

Florida State got snubbed by the College Football Playoff committee.

There’s no way around it. However you feel about the strength of the four teams the committee decided are worthy of playing for a national title, it’s impossible to argue FSU didn’t also deserve a spot.

Never before had an undefeated Power Five conference champion been left out of the playoff until Sunday, when the committee tried its best to justify putting one-loss SEC champion Alabama in field over Florida State.

In the immediate aftermath, we’ve seen all five stages grief play out. College fans went ballistic on social media. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and FSU athletic director Michael Alford went even further in excoriating the committee.

Then there was Jordan Travis, a Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback all year long for Florida State until gruesome leg injury that ended his season three weeks ago. Travis sat next to FSU head coach Mike Norvell as the playoff field was announced and looked speechless upon finding out Florida State wouldn’t get a shot at the national title.

As he tried to process the moment, Travis posted one of the most gut-wrenching messages you’ll read all year and college fans just wanted to give him a giant hug.

Injured FSU quarterback Jordan Travis tweets he is ‘devastated, heartbroken’

Florida State’s Jordan Travis was crushed by his team being left out of the CFP field

The Florida State Seminoles are undefeated. That didn’t matter to the CFP Selection Committee, which placed them fifth in the final rankings on Sunday.

Much of the decision centered on the Seminoles being a different team in the last two weeks since they lost QB Jordan Travis to a season-ending broken leg.

The quarterback, who was a Heisman contender, tweeted about his reaction and feelings to FSU being discounted despite being ACC champs and 13-0.

Another FSU quarterback weighed in, too, on social media.

Dillon Gabriel finishes ahead of Caleb Williams in Bleacher Report QB Rankings

After a tremendous season, Dillon Gabriel finished top 5 in the nation and ahead of Caleb Williams in Bleacher Report’s quarterback rankings after the regular season.

The Oklahoma Sooners offense had an incredible year. At the forefront of the Sooners offensive explosion was [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], who had a career year.

Gabriel set career highs in completion percentage (69.3%), passing yards (3,660), yards per attempt (9.5), rushing touchdowns (12), passer rating (172) while throwing for 30 touchdowns, the second-highest total in his career.

This season, Gabriel had seven games with more than 300 yards passing and three with more than 400 yards through the air. He set an Oklahoma record for touchdowns in a game (8) in the Sooners’ 59-point outburst vs. West Virginia.

More: Big 12 Bowl Projections from USA TODAY Sports

Under Gabriel, the Sooners scored 50 or more five times and more than 60 twice. Oklahoma is No. 3 in the nation in scoring and No. 4 in total yards.

A year after Oklahoma won just six games, Gabriel and the offense exploded to lead OU to their first 10-win season under Brent Venables.

In his incredible campaign, Gabriel earned a lot of respect from around the country and, at one point, thrust his name into the Heisman conversation. He led an incredible game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes against Texas and earned unanimous selection to the All-Big 12 first team.

And with that, Gabriel’s shot up the ranks of Bleacher Report’s top 25 quarterbacks, including ahead of a former Sooners quarterback and Heisman winner.

College Football Week 12 Winners and Losers: Washington passes a major test, circling back on Deion Sanders and Colorado

Washington kept its undefeated record intact in the best game of the day, outlasting Oregon State in a torrential downpour in Corvallis.

Rivalry Week is upon us, and the College Football Playoff race remains relatively wide open with one game remaining in the regular season.

Week 12 has historically been something of a calm before the storm, especially in the SEC, where most teams played either a Group of Five or FCS opponents. That proved to be the case this season, as well, though there were a few exceptions.

Washington and Oregon State played the game of the day as the Huskies kept their undefeated record intact with a two-point road win in a torrential downpour in Corvallis.

Otherwise, it was a mostly chalky week as we prepare for a pivotal Rivalry Week slate headlined by a top-three matchup between Ohio State and Michigan State in the Big House with a Big Ten East title and likely playoff spot on the line.

Before we get to what should be another classic in that series, here are the winners and losers from the penultimate week of the regular season.

Jameis Winston shares his picks for this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists

Jameis Winston, who won the award in 2013, shared his picks for this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists:

All former Heisman Trophy winners get a vote in choosing the annual award’s winner, and New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston knows who his finalists are. Winston, who won the Heisman Trophy back in 2013 with Florida State (where his jersey was retired over the weekend), shared his picks in no particular order at Monday’s Saints media availability session.

Declining to specify an order in the picks, Winston singled out quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Jordan Travis (Florida State), and Caleb Williams (USC) as the most outstanding players in college football this season, speaking with Nola.com’s Rod Walker and FOX 8’s Sean Fazende.

The current betting favorites to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy, depending on where you look, are Daniels and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. They have both been exceptional this season while playing at a very high level to improve their draft stock. Voting is still a week away, and finalists will not be announced until Monday, Dec. 4, with the winner revealed on Sunday, Dec. 10. So we’ll have to wait and see who wins. In the meantime, this is a good time to remind everyone that Reggie Bush still has not had the 2005 Heisman Trophy he rightfully won returned to him, so keep up the pressure on the NCAA.

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FSU QB Jordan Travis suffers gruesome leg injury

Jordan Travis has been a leader for the Florida State offense.

One of the top quarterbacks in the country this year and a fast-rising name for the 2024 NFL draft has been Florida State’s Jordan Travis. Travis’ blend of athleticism, drive and arm talent is exactly what many NFL teams are looking for. He can gotten better all season and is making a name for himself in a very crowded draft class.

But on Saturday, while going against North Alabama, Travis suffered a gruesome leg injury that is likely to cost him the rest of his season and could put his draft status in jeopardy.

We currently have Travis as our No. 8 quarterback prospect for the 2024 NFL draft and have a third-round grade on him. Depending on the severity of the injury, Travis is still a full five months out from the draft and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.

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Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis leaves senior night game with severe leg injury

The senior suffered a catastrophic leg injury after an awkward tackle, eventually leaving the stadium in an ambulance with a cast.

Florida State star quarterback Jordan Travis left his final game at Doak Campbell Stadium in the first quarter after a devastating injury to his left leg and ankle.

The senior was injured on an awkward tackle in the closing minutes of the first quarter against North Alabama, his ankle very visible for a few moments. The video can be watched here, but viewer discretion is advised as the injury is quite brutal.

Travis left the game on the medical cart with his injured leg in a cast, and he left Doak Campbell in an ambulance. He pointed to his heart and waved to the crowd as he left the game.

Tate Rodemaker will take over for Travis. The junior completed seven of his eight passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns before Saturday.

 

Florida State QB Jordan Travis carted off field after suffering leg injury

Florida State QB Jordan Travis has suffered a leg injury and was carted off the field

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis was carted off the field during the first quarter of Saturday’s game with North Alabama after suffering a leg injury.

Travis was tackled after running on a play and remained on the field for moments before being carted off.

The undefeated Seminoles trailed the Lions 13-0 at the time of the injury. They got a field goal to make it 13-3 entering the second quarter.

Jameis Winston was at the game to have his jersey retired. He spoke graciously about Travis, keeping the focus on the injured QB.

The Seminoles rallied for their injured quarterback in the game.

They scored the final 58 points of the game, trouncing the Lions, by 45. That wasn’t enough to cover the 45-point spread but it had to soothe some of the sadness of losing their great quarterback early.

Travis celebrated a teammate’s success from his hospital bed via an Instagram story post.

2024 NFL Draft: Top QB performances from week 11 of college football

Last weekend had some awesome, record-breaking performances from the top names in next year’s draft.

On Saturday, there was a feeling that the focus had started to shift towards the postseason, and more importantly, the conference championships.

Before we can get there, these teams have to finish this season strong. That means having big performances from their quarterbacks.

There were some great performances, as well as some disappointing ones, that came from some of the top names in next year’s draft.

We take a quick look at some of their performances from this week, as the college football season gets close to winding down their regular season.