Mike Norvell shares how recruits reacted to Florida State's playoff snub | 12/20/23
The 2023 bowl season matchups and the College Football Playoff field have been set for some time. However, it is difficult for some to understand the CFP selection committee's decision not to include the Florida State Seminoles in the playoffs. And a former ACC head coach blames the committee's decision as one of the reasons why State of Florida has resulted in so many players opting out of participating in their New Year Six Orange Bowl match against them Georgia.
Former head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes Mark Richt was part of the ACC Network's Signing Day Special Panel on Wednesday. And while sitting next to the Seminoles' former star quarterback EJ Manuelthe former Bulldogs, Hurricanes head coach let the College Football Playoff committee have their say.
“Yeah, I get it. I understand for a lot of reasons why these Florida State kids decided not to play. If they're playing for the national championship, I don't think any of them are going away,” Richt said. “But the The fact that they were snubbed and the manner in which they were snubbed makes me understand why they decided not to play.”
“I spoke to EJ and E-Mac (Eric Mac Lain) today; The longer we move away from the committee's decision, the angrier I become. Because I think they screwed up. I think they hurt college football.”
Richt believes that if Florida State had been in the College Football Playoff field, players like star EDGE Jared Verse would not have opted out, regardless of their draft intentions. Additionally, the former Georgia head coach believes the Seminoles' lack of inclusion in the CFP does more harm than justice to the committee's case. Richt went on to question how exactly the committee could be right when it didn't give an undefeated Power 5 conference champion a chance to prove him wrong.
“How should the league change the narrative? How is the team supposed to change the narrative when they aren't even in the game as a Power 5 school and are undefeated? I find it ridiculous. And the fact that there was a chance that a decision was made by people… it just turned out bad.”
No matter how you slice it or what twist you want to give, Richt believes the decision to keep Florida State out of the College Football Playoff is not only bad, but detrimental to the sport. As for the Seminoles, even if they beat Georgia in the Orange Bowl, they won't go down as national champions this year.