It's the team and fan base that just won't go away. If you thought the undefeated 2017 UCF Knights were bad, wait until you see how much the 2023 Florida State Seminoles have complained.
After Alabama's 27-20 loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl — an overtime thriller that featured four lead changes and a game-winning goal-line stand to determine who will play for a national title — FSU players and fans took the opportunity to whine that they could've competed better against the No. 1 Wolverines (you know, despite barely beating Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game and losing by 60 to Georgia in the Orange Bowl).
The sentiments from the players ranged from claiming Alabama didn't deserve to play in the game to some very telling emojis, including from injured quarterback Jordan Travis.
From FSU senior defensive back Jarrian Jones:
Difference between EARNED and GIVEN https://t.co/KGVWkQUZGH
— J.Jones (@JarrianJones) January 2, 2024
From junior defensive lineman Darrell Jackson:
They Ain?t Deserve That Shit!!!
— BIG PRODUCTIONS?? (@95productions1) January 2, 2024
Travis posted a single emoji (the one of a face melting into a puddle) in a since-deleted tweet.
Junior offensive lineman Darius Washington also posted a single emoji, followed by another tweet complaining that the College Football Playoff Selection Committee screwed FSU over:
I just hurt for my dawgs that don?t got another shot at this shi. A decision that?s going to hurt forever. So many years in this program we spent to get it right for y?all to fuck us. No hate towards Alabama. We let decision for our future be in the hands of other people.
— Darius Washington (@DariusW76) January 2, 2024
For FSU players, it's a terrible look. First of all, a huge number of players decided not to play in the Orange Bowl, which could've been used as an opportunity to show the world they were good enough to beat Georgia and deserved a CFP spot. In fact, Jones, took pride in the fact that he was going to play but then opted out days before the game because he declared for the NFL Draft.
There were some 30 FSU players who didn't play in the Orange Bowl because they were either injured, opted out or are transferring. By crying that the CFP took away their chance to win a national title then and quitting before the bowl game, 'Noles players exposed themselves in front of the entire country when they lost by a bajillion points. They didn't play because they knew they had no shot against Georgia with a backup quarterback, and they used the CFP decision as an excuse.
Secondly, that Alabama-Michigan game was a classic. It came down to the wire and was a true heavyweight slugfest. If you think FSU backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker — who threw for just 134 yards against a Swiss cheese Florida defense — or third-stringer Brock Glenn — who completed just eight passes for 55 yards against Louisville — could've hung offensively with Michigan, then you are severely delusional.
And that's exactly what Florida State fans and players are by whining right now. Everyone outside of Tallahassee can see that, including the 13 members of the committee who were following their own guidelines to determine the four best teams in the nation.
Judging from the CFP Semifinals — both of which came down to the last play of the game, after Washington needed a terrific last-second defensive play to beat Texas — the committee nailed the decision. So pipe down, Florida State, and enjoy what has been an awesome playoff thus far.
