In 2023, the Florida State football team became the first Power Five team to go undefeated, win their conference, but not make it to the College Football Playoff. Despite being ranked fourth in the CFP Poll in late November, their narrow victory against a ranked Louisville team in the ACC Championship caused them to drop out of the playoff field.
FSU fans, coaches, and team personnel were outraged by this decision, with Governor Ron DeSantis criticizing the selection committee. Many associated with the program suggested that the school should still celebrate their achievement with a title banner, as the CFP committee denied them the opportunity. During SEC Media Days, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey mocked FSU’s reaction to the snub.
Sankey commented, “Georgia was one of the best four teams and didn’t get in (the Playoff). But you didn’t see us jumping up and down and complaining and hanging national championship banners,” taking a direct jab at FSU.
Unlike Georgia, which accepted their exclusion quietly, FSU and its supporters vehemently criticized the CFP. FSU eventually played Georgia in the Orange Bowl and lost 63-3, but they were missing key players, including Trey Benson, Keon Coleman, and Johnny Wilson.
Looking ahead, Florida State aims to repeat as ACC champions. They replaced their star quarterback Jordan Travis with former five-star recruit D.J. Uiagalelei, who has 43 touchdowns and 14 interceptions since 2022. They also added running backs Roydell Williams and Malik Benson via the transfer portal. Williams rushed for 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns over four years with Alabama, while Benson caught 13 passes for 162 yards last year.
Returning players include linebacker DJ Lundy and pass rusher Patrick Payton. Lundy had 54 tackles, six TFLs, and two sacks last season, while Payton led the team with 14.5 TFLs, adding 44 tackles and seven sacks.
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