Florida State University was left out of the College Football Playoff despite being an undefeated conference champion, and elected officials at all levels in the state of Florida are crying foul.
Some are calling for resolutions condemning the decision, and others are even calling for lawsuits.
Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R-FL) congratulated FSU but claimed that the playoff committee “ignored” the accomplishments of the football team.
“College football failed Florida State University. It’s a shame that an undefeated team, who earned every bit of their perfect season, won’t even get a shot in the College Football Playoffs. What does college football have against Florida State and Tallahassee?” said Congressman Neal Dunn. “Make no mistake, Florida’s Second Congressional District knows our Seminoles are champions even if the selection committee fails to recognize that they earned a chance to prove it.”
What we learned today is that you can go undefeated and win your conference championship game, but the College Football Playoff committee will ignore these results.
Congratulations to @FSUFootball on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 3, 2023
“What we learned today is that you can go undefeated and win your conference championship game, but the College Football Playoff committee will ignore these results. Congratulations to FSU Football on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!” said Gov. DeSantis.
Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) announced on social media that he would be formulating a letter as well as a resolution to condemn the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as he believes the organization is “corrupt.”
I am circulating a letter and will be doing a resolution condemning @NCAAFootball @NCAA decision to leave @FSUFootball out of the playoffs. This decision is about TV money, a corrupt decision for college athletics. https://t.co/laQ2K3hWau
— Jared Moskowitz 🟧 (@JaredEMoskowitz) December 3, 2023
“I am circulating a letter and will be doing a resolution condemning [the] NCAA’s decision to leave FSU Football out of the playoffs. This decision is about TV money, a corrupt decision for college athletics,” said Rep. Moskowitz.
Former FSU football player and State Senator Corey Simon (R-FL) said “Lawsuits should be filed tomorrow.”
The corruption of college football rears its ugly head again. ESPN and Disney have a vested interest in the SEC participating in the CFP. Lawsuits should be filed tomorrow
— Corey Simon (@csime90) December 3, 2023
“The corruption of college football rears its ugly head again. ESPN and Disney have a vested interest in the SEC participating in the CFP. Lawsuits should be filed tomorrow,” said State Sen. Simon.
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis blasted the playoff committee on social media as well, echoing the notion that the NCAA is corrupt.
Shameful decision by the @CFBPlayoff Committee. I DEMAND a full explanation. 👇 pic.twitter.com/h7xadQl0ge
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) December 3, 2023
“Absolutely heartbroken for the entire FSU Football Team and the countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears they have put into this season only to have a championship opportunity ripped away by corrupt bureaucrats obviously colluding with ESPN and the SEC (Southeastern Conference).” Patronis continued, “This committee have [sic] sent a message to our youth across the country that winning DOESN’T MATTER and perseverance DOESN’T MATTER … I DEMAND a full explanation from the CFB Playoff Committee on this decision … They have no consistency from week to week and have destroyed the INTEGRITY of college football with this decision.”
Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) mentioned that the CFP Committee “needs oversight.”
Awful #CollegeFootballPlayoff
FSU was ROBBED! College football money grab is hurting collegiate athletics, needs oversight https://t.co/I4za2awKYc
— US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) December 3, 2023
“Awful #CollegeFootballPlayoff. FSU was ROBBED! College football money grab is hurting collegiate athletics, needs oversight,” said Rep. Castor.
It is unlikely that any action from the State of Florida or any of its elected officials at any level could change the decision of the selection committee’s decision.
However, earlier this year, elected officials in North Carolina threatened anti-trust lawsuits against the NCAA for not allowing UNC wide receiver Tez Walker to play after transferring to Chapel Hill. He was immediately granted eligibility once lawsuits were threatened.
Patronis threatened a lawsuit as FSU faced a very similar situation with Darrell Jackson Jr that UNC and the the State of North Carolina faced with Tez Walker. Nothing came of it.
This is a developing story
