Topline
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday the state’s upcoming budget should set aside $1 million for a potential lawsuit against the College Football Playoff, after the Florida State University football team was excluded from championship contention despite an undefeated season and conference title—drawing rebukes from politicians statewide.
The Florida governor said the university—whose football team is undefeated after winning a … [+]
Key Facts
DeSantis’ proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year—which state lawmakers will need to approve—includes $1 million for “any litigation expenses” that may follow a “really, really poor decision by the College Football Playoff” to exclude the undefeated Florida State football team, DeSantis said Tuesday.
DeSantis said Florida State—the first undefeated Power 5 winner to not make the College Football Playoff—“earned a spot” in the four-team playoff, but was not included by the committee that picks playoff contenders in a “very, very controversial ruling.”
An undefeated season should “really be significant, and they’re telling us that it doesn’t,” DeSantis said.
The state government and Florida State University haven’t sued over the snub yet, and it remains unclear whether they will file suit or on what grounds they could sue.
DeSantis said he is unsure whether litigation would change anything, adding the state will “let the chips fall where they may on that.”
Tangent
Former President Donald Trump suggested Monday DeSantis was to blame for Florida State not making the College Football Playoffs, adding the school was “treated very badly by the ‘Committee.’” “Lets [sic] blame DeSanctimonious” for the “Really bad lobbying effort,” Trump wrote.
Key Background
Four teams are named each year by the College Football Playoff to compete for the CFP championship, instead of a fixed ranking based on regular season records. The playoff rankings are decided by the College Football Playoff selection committee, a 13-person panel that includes former coaches, athletes and college athletics administrators. The Seminoles’ exclusion has drawn criticism, including from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who wrote a letter to the committee suggesting their decision was “shocking” while demanding “total transparency.”The selection chairman of the playoffs told ESPN that Florida State was not included because it was a “different team” without star quarterback Jordan Travis, who broke his leg last month. The Seminoles won their last two games without Travis, including the ACC championship, adding to hopes the team would be included in the playoffs. According to the committee’s protocol, teams are selected based on conference championships won, strength of schedule, head-to-head competition, comparative outcomes of common opponents and other factors, including “key injuries” that may “affect its postseason performance.”
What To Watch For
Though excluded from the playoffs, Florida State will play the University of Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.
Further Reading
DeSantis Pledges $1 Million For Any FSU Football Lawsuit After Snub (Tampa Bay Times)
Trump Blames DeSantis After Florida State Snubbed By College Football Playoffs (Forbes)
