In a surprising move, the College Football Playoff Committee has stood firm on its decision to exclude Florida State University (FSU) from the prestigious playoff despite the team's impressive undefeated 13-0 record and ACC title. The controversial decision has sparked outrage among fans, leading to demands for answers from Florida Senator and former governor Rick Scott.

Responding to the demand for clarity, the Committee expressed confidence in their process and the rankings that were determined based on the established protocol. Bill Hancock, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, stated that the Committee firmly believes they made the right decisions in selecting the four best teams in the country.

One of the key factors that influenced the Committee's decision was the unavailability of key players, particularly FSU's star quarterback. The protocol dictates that the Committee considers the impact of missing key players on a team's performance during the postseason. It was concluded that there were other teams with higher rankings due to this consideration.

Another crucial element was FSU's strength of schedule, which fell short compared to the four teams that were ranked ahead of them. Strength of schedule is an essential metric that the Committee takes into account when evaluating teams' performance. In this case, FSU's final strength of schedule ranking, as per ESPN's FPI metrics, was 55, while the top-seeded team, Michigan, boasted a ranking of 33. The rankings of the other three teams were Washington at 11, Texas at 13, and Alabama at 5.

The executive director emphasized that if being undefeated without considering strength of schedule was part of the protocol, several other universities with undefeated records would have been routinely considered for the Playoff. This was not the first time an undefeated team had been left out, with eight such teams, including FSU, not making the cut in previous years. Nevertheless, this marked the first time an undefeated team from a so-called Power 5 conference had been excluded. The importance of strength of schedule remained a crucial factor in the Committee's decision-making process.

Bill Hancock, in his response to the Senator's inquiry, reiterated that the Committee had carefully evaluated each team under consideration. They followed a well-established process, seeking inputs from 13 college football experts, including former head coaches, players, athletics directors, and a retired college football journalist. These discussions involved thorough deliberations on the merits of each team, including extensive discussion on FSU's case.

The Committee acknowledged the disappointment felt by FSU supporters and recognized that fans of any team left out of the Playoff would be disappointed. This year, with numerous highly impressive teams vying for the coveted four playoff spots, difficult decisions had to be made.

As the controversy continues to swirl and the College Football Playoff approaches, Florida State University and its supporters are left grappling with the disappointment of being excluded despite their exceptional record. While the Committee's decision stands firm, fans and analysts alike will eagerly await the upcoming playoff games to see if the Committee indeed made the right decisions in selecting the best four teams in the country.