Scott demands ‘answers’ from College Football Playoff committee after FSU football exclusion
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott Monday issued a letter to College Football Playoff Chairman Boo Corrigan demanding answers after Florida State University was excluded from the college football playoff.
“I am demanding answers and transparency from the @CFBPlayoff Selection Committee following its unprecedented exclusion of @FSUFootball from the playoffs,” Scott said on social media.
In the letter, Scott said he was shocked by the committee’s choice on deciding to keep Florida State from the playoff despite being a perfect 13-0.
The Seminoles also defeated the Louisville Cardinals in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game, becoming the first undefeated Power 5 team to be left out of the playoff.
Scott also questioned “the integrity of the process” of the committee’s 13-team body. Five members, or 38%, of its members have relevant experience in coaching or playing football, according to Scott.
Ranked No. 4 heading into the final selection, Florida State dropped to No. 5 after Sunday. Previously No. 5 Alabama jumped the Seminoles for the final spot.
Scott further stated that Florida State’s removal will lead to financial misfortune for the program.
“The ACC and FSU have been denied $2 million in revenue distribution from the CFB due to the Committee’s decision to remove the Seminoles from playoff contention,” Scott said. “While this is a significant amount of money, it is just a fraction of the total economic impact that playoff contention would have created for FSU.”
Scott also mentioned the impact could be felt on the “future earnings and opportunities for the players.”
The Seminoles’ perfect record came despite losing starting quarterback Jordan Travis, who suffered a season-ending leg injury against North Alabama. Florida State turned to backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker and Brock Glenn to win its final two games.
To be selected, the committee weighs “unavailability of key players” in its process.
“Florida State is a different team than they were the first 11 weeks,” CFB committee chair Boo Corrigan said. “If you look at who they are as a team right now, without Jordan Travis, without the offensive dynamic that he brings to it, they are a different team.”
Scott concluded by requesting the playoff panel turn over recordings, notes, emails, and texts throughout the process on Dec. 3. He also asked for “listing step and “ranking step” votes of each member of the committee.
Instead of competing for a national championship, Florida State is scheduled to face the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl. The national title game is set for Jan. 8, 2024.
