Ron DeSantis slams CFP, wants to sue over Florida State’s snub،
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis took the College Football Playoff committee to task Tuesday, criticizing its decision to exclude the undefeated Florida State football team from the four-team playoff.
DeSantis, speaking at a news conference to detail his proposed $114.4 billion budget for Florida, said he was asking for $1 million to allow FSU to sue the CFP committee, even if the championship will be decided months before the budget is approved. The semi-finals are set for January 1 and the championship match will be played on January 8.
“My first graders, fifth graders and preschoolers…they're all Noles and they're big fans and they're doing the tomahawk chop and they weren't happy,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to set aside $1 million and let the issues fall where they may.”
DeSantis' recommendation is simply a suggestion to the Florida Legislature, which begins its annual session next month. Once the Legislature agrees on a spending plan, DeSantis will have the power to veto individual items.
Florida State's omission from the CFP sparked a fiery reaction from the team and its fans. Head coach Mike Norvell said he was “disgusted and furious” that the Seminoles became the first undefeated Power 5 conference winner to miss the event, while ACC commissioner Jim Phillips called the decision to be “unfathomable”.
While Michigan (13-0, Big Ten champion), Washington (13-0, Pac-12 champion), Texas (12-1, Big 12 champion) and Alabama (12-1, champion of the SEC) were the top four teams that After reaching the playoffs, the Seminoles (13-0) were judged by a series of untimely injuries at the quarterback position.
“Florida State is a different team than the first 11 weeks,” CFP selection committee chairman Boo Corrigan told ESPN. “When you look at who they are as a team right now, without Jordan Travis, without the offensive dynamic that he brings, it's a different team and the committee voted for Alabama four and for State from Florida five.”
Travis, the ACC Player of the Year, suffered a broken leg against North Alabama in mid-November. Backup Tate Rodemaker suffered a concussion late in the Seminoles' regular-season finale at Florida, leading true freshman Brock Glenn, the third player, to start the league title game. ACC – a victory against Louisville.
Florida State, as the No. 5 seed, will face two-time defending national champion Georgia (No. 6) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
