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ESPN's Paul Finebaum on FSU Being Undefeated in CFP Discussion: 'So What?'

Originally posted on FanNation NoleGameDay
By Tommy Mire | Last updated 11/29/23

There has been a lot of conversation about who the best teams are as the 2023 College Football Playoff approaches. Who's in? Who's out? Where do all the cards fall when it is all said and done?

The College Football Selection Committee released their latest rankings on Tuesday, and Florida State came in at No. 4 after their 24-15 win over Florida last Saturday. The top 4 teams, in their opinion, are No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Washington, and No. 4 Florida State.

But, this time of year draws opinions from everyone, and ESPN's Paul Finebaum took to the soapbox to let everyone know that he does not think FSU should make the final four.

"I think we're looking at the wrong two schools here. To me, it should be about Florida State," Finebaum said when discussing whether Alabama or Texas should be in the Playoffs over FSU if they win their conference.

Florida State is 12-0 and will play Louisville in the ACC Championship Game this weekend. If the Seminoles win, it is expected they'll make their first playoff appearance since 2014.

"I know what everyone wants to say, and I don't want to upset my dear friend Heather, but I don't really care about the argument that Florida State is an undefeated Power 5 champion," Finebaum continued. "I mean, so what? They’re beating Louisville, which lost to a pedestrian Kentucky team."

Still, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy doesn't seem to agree with Finebaum. After the latest rankings were released, he doesn't see much change if the Seminoles remain undefeated.

"We don't even need to entertain the idea of a one-loss team jumping them. Florida State is in," McElroy said. "If they take care of business this weekend, they're going to be in, and they deserve to be. The results have to matter. They’re undefeated.”

The outcomes of Championship Weekend could rattle things up a bit with many moving parts remaining in the playoff picture. No. 8 Alabama will face off against Georgia, Michigan will face No. 16 Iowa, and Washington will face No. 5 Oregon.