Forever in our hearts: A minute ago, Florida State QB DJ Uiagalelei died in a plane crash.
The 2023 Florida State football team went down in history as the first Power Five team to go undefeated and win their conference but not earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. Florida State entered late November as the fourth-ranked team in the CFP Poll, but after a narrow win against a ranked Louisville team in the ACC Championship, the Seminoles slipped outside the four-team playoff field.
Naturally, FSU fans, coaches, and team personnel were irate about college football’s decision, with Republican Governor Ron DeSantis even taking aim at the selection committee. Florida State’s snub also led many involved with the program to claim that the school should still hang a title banner since the CFP committee omitted the program from earning that opportunity. On Wednesday, during SEC Media Days, conference commissioner Greg Sankey took a shot at FSU for their reaction to last season’s snub.
SEC Commissioner: Clowns Florida State Footba
“ was one of the best four teams (in the nation) and didn’t get in (the Playoff). But you didn’t see us jumping up and down and complaining and hanging national championship banners,” said Sankey to the media on Wednesday.
Unlike Georgia, Florida State went undefeated before Selection Sunday but became the first Power Five team to do so and not make the College Football Playoff field since its integration in 2014. Florida State and its supporters verbally tore apart the CFP after their exclusion, while Georgia remained relatively quiet. The two squads eventually faced off in the Orange Bowl, with Georgia besting FSU 63-3. However, the Seminoles played without most key players, including the trio of offensive stars Trey Benson, Keon Coleman, and Johnny Wilson.
Florida State Football: Looking For Repeat ACC Title
The Florida State football program enters next season with title aspirations. Florida State replaced Heisman-caliber quarterback Jordan Travis this offseason with former five-star prospect D.J. Uiagalelei, formerly the signal-caller at Clemson and Oregon State. Uiagalelei has thrown for 43 touchdowns against 14 interceptions since 2022. Meanwhile, the Seminoles also landed running backs Roydell Williams and Malik Benson via the transfer portal. Williams rushed for 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns in four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide, while Benson caught 13 passes for 162 yards with Alabama last year.
Florida State also returns linebacker DJ Lundy and pass rusher Patrick Payton. Lundy had a fantastic season last year, recording 54 tackles, six TFLs, and two sacks. Patrick Payton led the Seminoles with 14.5 TFLs, adding 44 tackles and seven sacks.
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