Playoff fraud? Fans, media debate LSU's CFP hopes following loss to Florida State
The College Football Playoff cannot be won or lost in Week 1. However, early-season statements can carry weight when the debate for the postseason ramps up later in the season.
Unfortunately for LSU, its first early-season statement of the year is an absolute clunker, losing to Florida State 45-24 Sunday night. Making matters worse, the Seminoles have secured a key head-to-head statement if the eventual Playoff discussion calls for a comparison between LSU and Florida State.
While Week 1 is prime for overreactions, a number of fans and media members are already debating LSU’s Playoff outlook after such a disastrous performance. To be fair, the Tigers have put themselves behind the 8-ball out of the gates.
No team has made the 4-team Playoff with 2 losses on their record, and the 0-1 Tigers must still face Ole Miss and Alabama on the road to go with games against Auburn and Texas A&M at home. And if the Tigers do win out, they must still face an SEC East champion in Atlanta.
Here’s how social media reacted to the Week 1 defeat:
I thought LSU-FSU would be a higher-quality game than last year and that both teams would remain in the CFP race regardless of the outcome. LSU is teetering here. Talented team but clearly a lot of things to fix.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 4, 2023
I know a loss to a team as good as Florida State in week one isn’t a loss that disqualifies a team from CFP contention, but if Florida State scores again here LSU is going to have a “but they got their asses” kicked problem if they find themselves in a debate.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) September 4, 2023
The LSU hype was just a liiiiittle much for me this summer. Thought they would be stout, but not a CFP team.
But I did NOT expect this result. Extremely impressive performance from FSU tonight.
— Will Stone (@WillStoneCFB) September 4, 2023
Remember the conversation about how the loser isn’t out of the CFP
LSU should be out
— Lowell Aydlette (@LowellCST) September 4, 2023
You don’t make the CFP after blowout losses. LSU can forget that.
— Jay Alexanders (@IrishBucks_hky) September 4, 2023
Brian Kelly…yikes. Not your best coaching performance. Big win for Florida State. Very impressed with Jordan Travis and Keon Coleman. For LSU, pretty much have to win out the rest of the season if they want to make the College Football Playoff.
— RJ Nealon (@RNealonsports) September 4, 2023
It’s a blow out now. LSU getting trucked/rag doll all over the field. College football playoff resume is loading
— Marcus (@MG_gotstyle) September 4, 2023
LSU this is embarrassing. Brian Kelly Embarrassing. Y’all Costed Y’all College Football Playoff Vote Already. Better Go Beat Alabama This Year Again!
— NIJ ?? (@nijaljackson_) September 4, 2023