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Greg Sankey says Georgia was snubbed from CFP, appears to jab FSU
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Greg Sankey isn’t shy about sharing his opinions of how last season’s College Football Playoff race shook out.
In December, Sankey drew plenty of attention, and criticism, for lobbying for two SEC teams to make the final four ahead of the conference championship game between then-No. 1 Georgia and then-No. 8 Alabama.
The Crimson Tide upset the Bulldogs for the SEC crown. Michigan, Washington, Florida State and Texas also won their conference championship games. The CFP selection committee named a final four of Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama.
It was unprecedented for the selection committee to snub an undefeated Power 5 conference champion. Florida State moved down from No. 4 to No. 5 despite beating Louisville in the ACC Championship Game. The late-November season-ending injury to star FSU QB Jordan Travis was cited as a reason for keeping the Seminoles out of the CFP.
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As expected, Florida State did not take the CFP snub well, with state politicians even getting involved. Sankey does not seem amused with how the Noles reacted to missing the Playoff.
Speaking with SDS columnist Matt Hayes for a radio interview with 1010XL out of Jacksonville, Florida, the SEC commissioner maintained his position that two SEC teams belonged in the Playoff, saying Georgia was also one of the four best teams. Without naming FSU, he appeared to take a shot at the program in Tallahassee and how it celebrated the 2023 season.
SEC commish Greg Sankey on @1010XL: “Georgia 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 complaning and hanging national championship banners.”
A not so subtle shot at FSU.
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) July 17, 2024
Georgia and Florida State ended up facing each other in the Orange Bowl. The Bulldogs won a 63-3 blowout, with many FSU standouts opting to skip the game and prepare for the NFL Draft.
While FSU did not declare itself national champions a la UCF (or hang any national championship banners), the Seminoles did give players 13-0 rings after the 13-1 finish to the season. The rings were widely mocked by fans of rival programs, while the Nole faithful maintained they were celebrating the ACC championship and “state championship” (wins over Miami and Florida).
Sankey’s comments follow recent news stories on FSU’s potential post-ACC landing spot. CFB insider Brett McMurphy shared Tuesday that the SEC has “no interest” in adding Florida State, with the Big Ten also looking unlikely to invite the program suing the ACC.
Hayes spoke to B1G sources that indicated FSU’s advisors have done the school a “disservice” on the realignment front. Sources revealed to Hayes that the SEC would be more interested in programs from contiguous states that expand the geographic footprint, such as North Carolina and Virginia.
At SEC Media Days, Sankey said the conference plans to stay at 16 programs and is not looking to expand.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
