Cannot. Should not. Will not.
Period.
On Saturday FSU lost it’s captain and starting quarterback Jordan Travis to a season-ending leg injury. (If you’re squeamish in the least bit, don’t watch the video of the play). That injury has sparked conversation among pundits and fans alike on whether FSU should be left out of the College Football Playoff if they were to still win their final regular season game and the ACC Championship game against Louisville.
As a football fan, I understand the logic – they’re not as good of a team without Travis as they are with him and potentially aren’t “top 4 in the country” quality anymore. At a high level I’d probably rather see a 1-loss Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon or Washington in because they are probably better teams. One could argue they are possibly better with #13 taking snaps for the Noles
This isn’t about probables or possibles though. This is about results. College football is a results based business.
We have never seen an undefeated, Power Five conference champion left out of the four team playoff model. That’s because the P5 is considered to be the premier conferences and if a team is able to go through such a conference schedule unscathed, they are one of the best teams in the country that given year. That's regarless of injuries on a team or its opponents.
Florida State could still fit that bill.
The Noles are currently 11-0 with a final, regular season game slated against the in-state rival Florida Gators in Gainesville and then the aforementioned Conference Championship game against Jeff Brohm and the Louisville Cardinals.
Challenging the standard of putting in P5 champions, especially prior to the wave of realignment taking place next year, would be a slippery and cataclysmic mistake.
“Win and you’re in”. That’s what we’ve been told. The Playoff Committee will have to stand on business if the Noles do their part.
Hit the comments and let me know what you think.
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