CFP Committee Chairman Explains Why Alabama Was Selected Over Florida State

Regardless of what decision was made, precedent was going to be broken when the College Football Playoff committee revealed the four teams for the 2023 playoff. 

Either an SEC champion would be left out for the first time, or an undefeated Power Five champion would be left out for the first time. Fortunately for Alabama, it was the latter. 

Alabama (12-1) earned the No. 4 seed behind Michigan, Washington and Texas. Florida State, who went 13-0 and won the ACC title, finished fifth. 

CFP committee chairman Boo Corrigan explained the rationale behind the decision to give Alabama the last spot over the Seminoles. 

"In the eyes of the committee, Florida State is a different team without Jordan Travis," Corrigan said. "One of the things we do consider is player availability. Our job is to rank the best teams, and in the final decision looking at it was Alabama at four and Florida State at five"

During the selection show earlier Sunday on ESPN, Corrigan said that the coaches on the committee considered who they would rather face between the Crimson Tide and Seminoles. And the coaches agreed that Alabama was a better team, especially with Florida State missing their star quarterback. 

Strength of schedule was also a big part of the discussion for the committee. Alabama had four wins over the top 25, and Florida State at three. Alabama had the fifth best strength of schedule, while Florida State's was 55th. 

"It's a factor, and it's a part of our protocol as we look at it," Corrigan said. "Alabama's strength of schedule was significantly higher than Florida State's."

Alabama has now made the College Football Playoff in eight of the last ten seasons, and will face No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.