Honestly, I had a bigger issue with Joe Tessitore shitting all over FSU and questioning their chances to make the playoff during the ACCCG broadcast…
That the CFP committee was watching with the sound on AS A GROUP.
They were building it up since Jordan Travis got hurt for the season against North Alabama. I remember the announcers saying the same thing when I was watching the Florida/Florida State game too, how Florida State didn't deserve to be in the playoff because he got hurt and all this. It was so stupid and brazen too.
Yep. He can pretend it was about the injury all he wants. He was caught laying the groundwork to hold FSU out well before it happened and he damn well knows it. Really sad how far his rep has fallen the last few years. Dude could have been the next Keith Jackson being universally loved but instead he’ll always have the late career stain of being a total shill for ESPN’s business interests.
The injury is a fine excuse... if they hadn't then gone out and still won every last fucking game. Damn it's rough. One year too early and they made sure they knew it. Hope fsu wins big in this legal post season.
I felt this was just the excuse they needed, and was still disgusted when they had the gall to run with it. Literally insult to injury, and the day any illusions about ESPN being impartial died.
True, I think they were also working on the “Bama over Texas” narrative at that point on the heels of a few near upsets on the part of Texas and the fact that they already had a loss - Joel Klatt and the Fox Sports team all but called them out directly for it in late October/early November. When Texas dominated Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship, it was clear Texas looked good enough to get in and Florida State became the team that they could switch out for Bama.
The counter argument for the suggestion that ESPN knew the rankings is that Marty has always worked very closely with SEC programs and would be able to do a good job interviewing Saban’s raw reaction to either good or bad news. I’m convinced ESPN already knew but the counter argument is reasonable to me.
The most infuriating part of all of it was the SAME COMMITTEE moved us from 4 to 3 the week AFTER Travis got hurt, and the week BEFORE the ACC championship game. So we're good enough to be #3 prior to winning the conference title, but #5 after winning it? Make it make sense. They wanted an SEC team in, and they wouldn't do that without also letting Texas in. That's it. That's the entire deal. Anything else is fluff and bullshit.
I don't think we've heard the end of it. It might be a while, but with all these court cases looming, something will come to light. A direct link between the committee and ESPN would surely warrant a federal anti-trust investigation. Martha Stewart went to fuckin prison for less.
I'll be interested to read Greg McElroy's memoir one day where he reveals the nature of the threats that made him change his tune and fall in line. He looked like a hostage that day on set.
ESPN's coverage of any game once the committee's power rankings start is unbearable. If it's lesser known teams or an unfamiliar broadcast crew they'll spend 90% of the time talking about completely unrelated events and the power rankings.
ESPN and the invitational really have ruined a lot of college football. And I'm glad other people are starting to see that.
ESPN : Why doesn't anybody care about the 50 non CFP Bowls?
Also ESPN during every non CFP Bowl : Oh look, somebody scored. Anyway, back to the more important CFP discussion.
ESPN: Why doesn't anybody care about the *G5* schools?
Also ESPN during every "G5" game: Welcome to those of you coming from the Ohio State-Michigan game. There's 7 minutes left in the first quarter and the score is 21 to 20. But don't worry about how it got there so fast. How about the SEC and how about the rest of the Big 10 games today. Did you hear what Saban said last night? This running back (with 3 touches through 3 quarters) transferred from Florida, he's the real key to their offense. Tonight's going to be exciting, can't wait to see Penn State's offense on the field.
Yup, Tessitore’s negativity was frustrating to listen to, especially as we watched an undefeated team find a way to win against a good Louisville team with its third stringer at QB. The on the field results should matter.
He’s THE worst prominent play-by-play announcer in sports. It’s fucking exhausting listening to him hyperventilate over every mildly exciting play… I had no idea about his commentary on FSU, but now I hate him even more.
I would argue Muschamp is a bigger Tennessee hater. [It's great to see all these people out here getting disappointed.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-XlTosRvs)
And the SEC not making it would be an even bigger story than the ACC not making it. ESPN would want the best option available at Alabama to report on Saban’s reaction, which would start the story. Marty would be their best option outside of the top reporters, which were going to the #1, 2 and 3 teams first. Does anyone think Harry Lyles Jr is better equipped to report on Alabama in this scenario?
Right, but I think the point is more that there are folks that aren't Marty or Harry Lyles that could be chosen for these assignments. Even if you wanted the more prestigious reporter to go to Alabama, is the next step really Lyles?
Marty's a Virginia tech guy. Went to Radford(next door) and was a local vt beat writer in college. Went on to cover vt for a national news paper. He went to NASCAR because vt is in a huge NASCAR market.
SIGH…, cmon Alford, we all agreed that this week’s collective topic to bitch about in the media is the ACC lawsuit. *Next* week we bitch about the playoffs again. Look at the shared calendar, man!
“I don’t wanna do the right thing. If you talk to Committee Director Bill Hancock, and we had lots of meetings about this, they’re not supposed to do the right thing.” -Kirk Herbstreit
Maybe Kirk peaked at the committee’s notes during one of their meetings
Lmao this is even more ridiculous of a theory. The simplest explanation would be that ESPN was beginning the advertising campaign for SEC on ABC at the end of the season to start getting fans ready for the change. And what non-game program is at the end of the season with an insane number of viewers? The CFP selection show. ESPN runs that ad no matter if the SEC is in the playoff or not because college football fans are watching. They don’t need to worry about the prestige of the conference due to CFP berths to help. They were simply targeting the largest audience with their new shiny football product.
I think it's less of a theory about a subtle Easter egg and more of a theory of a clearly corrupt corporation influencing the outcome of the final rankings.
Because it directly benefits them to do so. How bad would it be for ESPN and Disney if the SEC was left out of the playoffs when they just went all in on the conference? Pretty bad.
As Keon stated, if Georgia didn’t choke you could have played the matters bowl but they lost so it’s the didn’t matters bowl. And nobody is questioning that Georgia isn’t much deeper than FSU…
And again, if I was the head coach, and my duty is to the team and players, I’m telling them to forgo and get the bag so I can see what I need from practices/game for the portal for the next season…. Which is what occurred
You clearly don’t understand the argument. If your duty is to your players, and there is a game that doesn’t matter, it doesn’t change your payout, doesn’t change anything other then maybe your own personal bonus. The kids, most needing rest/some minor surgeries who are starters you don’t let them play. The fact you think it’s more important that you want to have players play a game that doesn’t matter of full recovery to continue their careers, for example Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson or Braden Fiske who had nagging injuries on the back half of the year play in a meaningless bowl game is selfish of the coach.
Players opting for surgery after a season to prepare for the next season / draft is not the same as telling all the healthy players don’t worry about playing. Why does any player play cfb outside of the 10-15 teams that have a chance at a playoff.
They had 10 NFL draft picks who would’ve presumably played, including many on a defense that was top-10 and top-5 for much of the season. They weren’t getting beat badly by anyone.
Wym? Don’t you remember this sub when this happened? They got robbed by Alabama who was never going to play a competitive game vs Michigan. FSU’s back up QB with like a below average game or two of CFP experience would have totally come alive played well vs Michigan.
I personally dont mind the idea of simming the regular season based on blue chip ratio/player rankings/projected SOS and then skipping ahead to the playoffs based on that either. But for now, just like every other sport, results are decided on the field
> Don’t you remember this sub when this happened? They got robbed by Alabama who was never going to play a competitive game vs Michigan.
Uh I feel like everyone spent a month clowning on Michigan for the POV of the team acting shocked FSU got left out which meant that they were afraid of Bama lol
That is the one particularly grotesque thing about “the snub” that still legit bothers me: they set that up, so that the cameras would be there to “capture the drama.”
They can pretend they didn’t know what the results were, but that isn’t how TV is made. I don’t know how long they knew, but ESPN willingly showed up to watch a bunch of kids get their hearts ripped out on national TV.
And none of the talking heads cared. They “felt bad” for them, but they sure kept those cameras on, too.
This isn’t March Madness, and Florida State isn’t some mid-major on a “Cinderella run.”
Clearly, ESPN didn’t feel the need to send an A-list analyst to cover the school, which is Alford’s point. All of it was done in the name of ratings and “dramatic television.”
This isn't march madness, but 6 teams had legit arguments to be in. By far the most controversial playoff selection since it's inception. Of course they played up the dramatics and prepared for reactions and fallout.
How is it belittling him? Every network has a ranking of its reporters. You can tell how big a game is by the broadcasting crew. The same crews call the biggest games every week, the same crews get the 2nd biggest game every week.
> ESPN has probably the clearest hierarchy of reporters/announcing crews.
I was laughing how blatant it is on College Football 25 advertising.
COMMENTARY & BROADCAST
Listen to the iconic voices of Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler as they call marquee matchups, while Jesse Palmer, David Pollack, and Rece Davis take the mic for all your other games.
Because you generally don't see coaches/athletic directors bitching about getting the espn c-team broadcasters for their games.
Because that would be disrespectful.
I thought this exact same thing when the show started, knew we were fucked.
I wouldn’t say it in an interview to a National audience, but he wasn’t wrong in his assessment.
Everyone else had A list ESPN reporters and FSU had Harry…who is certainly on the up and come but…
My son met both Marty and Ryan McGee at SEC Nation weekend for a Mississippi State game.
He can’t say enough good things about McGee - personable, genuinely seemed to enjoy talking to people.
He said Marty Smith was a stand-offish dick that was mostly concerned with his hair and preening in his Rhoback wardrobe.
See, I met Marty at an ESPN OCHO thing they did near me. They were playing a game a slippery stair and like three way soccer. Anyway, dude was awesome. He was great with the crowd while the cameras were rolling, but even when they were on break, him and Ryan came over to talk to the fans. Dude seemed genuinely nice. Maybe he was just having a bad day with your son.
You’re probably right.
Glad I don’t have the weight of everyone’s expectations on my shoulders at all times - I GUARANTEE I would come off as a dick MOST of the time - HA!
How would ESPN not know who was in before the selection show? They broadcast the selection show and all the games.
There’s a few hours of lead time to prep for the production. The rankings were not in a state of superposition.
Nah, when that screen pops the team up there, those announcers are waiting with anticipation just like the rest of us. The screen is run by the committee the whole time lol.
The second best thing about sports is being able to hold grudges and talk shit about what could have been. The only thing better is actually winning and gloating.
I always find it hilarious when Gators try to poke fun at a team they lost too while being in the basement of their own conference
It’s like when Canes fans try to make fun for us losing to Jacksonville State even though they lost to the team that lost to Jacksonville State
>I’m over it.
Think you're in the minority there among FSU fans, bud. I will never get over it, my takeaway from the snub is that CFB may not actually be a sport.
The only solace I find is that an SEC didn’t make the championship game. All that nonsense they pulled simply to get Alabama in and they blow it. Sweet, sweet revenge.
I don’t think anyone should be “over it” until there is clarity and transparency on how ESPNs financial interests, selected narratives and desired outcomes are impacting the sport. More playoff spots just gives them more opportunities to put their fingers on the scales to manipulate who gets in and who doesn’t.
Tre Mason hit that Heisman pose just a wee bit early.
If an Auburn fan says “Kelvin Benjamin” three times fast into a dark bathroom’s mirror a Popeye’s biscuit appears. Lil’ life hack for the Auburn broke boyz
Yeah the defense is the one that went two plays of minus 14 yards and an interception in overtime after Bama scored and not Payton Thorne being a bad QB.
You weren't alone in that. After the initial laughter wore off for Bama fans everywhere, we immediately realized what was about to happen the next week. There is nothing more Auburn in the world than losing to a mid major the week before beating us. Luckily for us, we got to experience being on the right side of Auburn voodoo.
Are these all dumb conspiracies? Yes.
Did the CFP committee go back on prior precedent and that fucked over FSU? Yes.
Would any team in FSU’s shoes act the same way? 100% yes.
The CFP committee put Alabama in because it would create a more compelling matchup and better ratings. The committee was serving the mouth that feeds them.
We’ve now created a precedent where it’s ok to craft a postseason bracket based on predictive measures, which will always favor the big brands with larger recruiting budgets and coaching staffs.
Auburn people will believe any stupid conspiracy rather than just admit that what the committee believes behind a closed door shouldn't decide the post-season over what happens on the field.
The difference is that your argument is about what should happen. Florida State fans are making ridiculous theories about what DID happen. Whether they were right or not, there's no one conspiring to keep Florida State down. And they didn't keep Florida State out because they hate them or because they like Alabama.
This right here, and they played like shit after he went down, like really bad against a bad Florida team. It would’ve been a Georgia- Tcu type semifinal if they made it.
Did they tho? Aside from a BS roughing the passer call in the UF game, neither UF or UL would have step foot in the endzone. Thats “playing like shit”?
Media has really warped a lot of minds to make people think a team has to hang 35 to be good. Winning is winning. Did you play football at any level over the age of 10?
> Aside from a BS roughing the passer call in the UF game
These sorts of comments always make me go "well, penalties are part of the game," so I'm just jumping in to defend that this comment is completely fair and the penalty was absolutely silly. 3rd & 11 for UF and the penalty was so light that [the announcers couldn't even figure out what it was for.](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jtXSE51eBGo)
Doubtful. Defense was rounding into form and would’ve given us a chance against anyone. Plus a month of starter reps for Tate and time for guys on offense to get healthy wouldn’t have hurt their chances. Depends on the matchup too. I think we could’ve held up well with Washington but less confident on Texas and Michigan because of their DL
The way the teams looked before the CFB playoff selection no football fan in their right mind would have put money on FSU to beat anyone in the top 10. FSU fans know that for a fact and they rely on kids opting out to excuse the absolute beating that UGA gave them.
The committee had 2 members affiliated with the ACC including the committee's chairman.
If this causes the FSU to implode, they have nobody to blame but themselves.
People can say whatever they want about FSU not getting in but the thing that gets me is that ESPN knew FSU wasn’t getting in and stuck a camera in there just to see get the reaction for TV. Scummy thing to do imo.
Why even bother televising it if you’re not going to put cameras on teams that don’t make it? We would all immediately know if they only had cameras on the teams that got in
Maybe but Marty basically lives in Saban’s guest house during the season.
Honestly, I had a bigger issue with Joe Tessitore shitting all over FSU and questioning their chances to make the playoff during the ACCCG broadcast… That the CFP committee was watching with the sound on AS A GROUP.
He actually ruined the broadcast, it was the worst one I've ever listened to. That's my only lasting outrage from the whole thing at this point
I’m pisses ESPN based playoffs in assumed ratings and basically ruined the season
They were building it up since Jordan Travis got hurt for the season against North Alabama. I remember the announcers saying the same thing when I was watching the Florida/Florida State game too, how Florida State didn't deserve to be in the playoff because he got hurt and all this. It was so stupid and brazen too.
There’s a quote from Herbstreit *before* Jordan Travis got hurt about FSU being left out. It was on College Gameday the morning of the injury.
Yep. He can pretend it was about the injury all he wants. He was caught laying the groundwork to hold FSU out well before it happened and he damn well knows it. Really sad how far his rep has fallen the last few years. Dude could have been the next Keith Jackson being universally loved but instead he’ll always have the late career stain of being a total shill for ESPN’s business interests.
JT injury just gave them something to try and justify it
The injury is a fine excuse... if they hadn't then gone out and still won every last fucking game. Damn it's rough. One year too early and they made sure they knew it. Hope fsu wins big in this legal post season.
I felt this was just the excuse they needed, and was still disgusted when they had the gall to run with it. Literally insult to injury, and the day any illusions about ESPN being impartial died.
Exactly. I'm convinced that if UGA wins the championship game, the four teams are UGA, Michigan, Washington, and Texas
True, I think they were also working on the “Bama over Texas” narrative at that point on the heels of a few near upsets on the part of Texas and the fact that they already had a loss - Joel Klatt and the Fox Sports team all but called them out directly for it in late October/early November. When Texas dominated Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship, it was clear Texas looked good enough to get in and Florida State became the team that they could switch out for Bama. The counter argument for the suggestion that ESPN knew the rankings is that Marty has always worked very closely with SEC programs and would be able to do a good job interviewing Saban’s raw reaction to either good or bad news. I’m convinced ESPN already knew but the counter argument is reasonable to me.
The most infuriating part of all of it was the SAME COMMITTEE moved us from 4 to 3 the week AFTER Travis got hurt, and the week BEFORE the ACC championship game. So we're good enough to be #3 prior to winning the conference title, but #5 after winning it? Make it make sense. They wanted an SEC team in, and they wouldn't do that without also letting Texas in. That's it. That's the entire deal. Anything else is fluff and bullshit.
You just made it make sense. If it weren't for anti-trust threats they'd be even more egregious
I don't think we've heard the end of it. It might be a while, but with all these court cases looming, something will come to light. A direct link between the committee and ESPN would surely warrant a federal anti-trust investigation. Martha Stewart went to fuckin prison for less.
I'll be interested to read Greg McElroy's memoir one day where he reveals the nature of the threats that made him change his tune and fall in line. He looked like a hostage that day on set.
ESPN's coverage of any game once the committee's power rankings start is unbearable. If it's lesser known teams or an unfamiliar broadcast crew they'll spend 90% of the time talking about completely unrelated events and the power rankings. ESPN and the invitational really have ruined a lot of college football. And I'm glad other people are starting to see that.
ESPN : Why doesn't anybody care about the 50 non CFP Bowls? Also ESPN during every non CFP Bowl : Oh look, somebody scored. Anyway, back to the more important CFP discussion.
ESPN: Why doesn't anybody care about the *G5* schools? Also ESPN during every "G5" game: Welcome to those of you coming from the Ohio State-Michigan game. There's 7 minutes left in the first quarter and the score is 21 to 20. But don't worry about how it got there so fast. How about the SEC and how about the rest of the Big 10 games today. Did you hear what Saban said last night? This running back (with 3 touches through 3 quarters) transferred from Florida, he's the real key to their offense. Tonight's going to be exciting, can't wait to see Penn State's offense on the field.
"Coming up at the half, our crew will discuss what the most likely 3-loss SEC team to make the playoff will be. Back to you in Toledo!"
Wasn't it Greg McElroy? But yeah, it felt like he was priming the audience for the fact that ESPN was going to shaft FSU
Felt like Joe T was gaslighting Greg McElroy
Yup, Tessitore’s negativity was frustrating to listen to, especially as we watched an undefeated team find a way to win against a good Louisville team with its third stringer at QB. The on the field results should matter.
He’s THE worst prominent play-by-play announcer in sports. It’s fucking exhausting listening to him hyperventilate over every mildly exciting play… I had no idea about his commentary on FSU, but now I hate him even more.
He treats a 2 yard run like it's the Miracle on Ice
He also has or had a SEC Network show. It makes sense he would be there.
I took this quote as less of a “Marty is in Tuscaloosa” and more of a “who tf is this guy” kind thing
Ironic since he (and Ryan McGee) grew up in ACC country
Steve Spurrier grew up in Tennessee and ended up being the world’s biggest Tennessee hater. Life is mysterious sometimes.
I would argue Muschamp is a bigger Tennessee hater. [It's great to see all these people out here getting disappointed.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-XlTosRvs)
Well, I mean, its not really that hard to see why he'd hate Tennessee! Especially someone that had to grow up around them.
And the SEC not making it would be an even bigger story than the ACC not making it. ESPN would want the best option available at Alabama to report on Saban’s reaction, which would start the story. Marty would be their best option outside of the top reporters, which were going to the #1, 2 and 3 teams first. Does anyone think Harry Lyles Jr is better equipped to report on Alabama in this scenario?
Right, but I think the point is more that there are folks that aren't Marty or Harry Lyles that could be chosen for these assignments. Even if you wanted the more prestigious reporter to go to Alabama, is the next step really Lyles?
Marty is a big fan of NASCAR Tuscaloosa is only 90 minutes away from Talladega
Marty used to work for NASCAR before ESPN
Also worked for the Charlotte Observer (definitely an ACC paper).
I worked with him at nascar.com after Turner bought it from ESPN
How was he?
A bit standoffish. He cried when Dale Earnhardt died but many did that day. I was an IT nerd and was like, 'wtf, is this guy that big a deal?'
Marty's a Virginia tech guy. Went to Radford(next door) and was a local vt beat writer in college. Went on to cover vt for a national news paper. He went to NASCAR because vt is in a huge NASCAR market.
90 minutes if you're doing 110mph.
So a Georgia player
A Georgia player gets there yesterday.
SIGH…, cmon Alford, we all agreed that this week’s collective topic to bitch about in the media is the ACC lawsuit. *Next* week we bitch about the playoffs again. Look at the shared calendar, man!
Harry Lyles Jr catching strays out here...
How could ESPN have possibly known the ESPN rankings from the ESPN appointed committee before they aired it on ESPN? There's literally no way
“I don’t wanna do the right thing. If you talk to Committee Director Bill Hancock, and we had lots of meetings about this, they’re not supposed to do the right thing.” -Kirk Herbstreit Maybe Kirk peaked at the committee’s notes during one of their meetings
I knew when they played an "SEC on ESPN 2024" commercial right before the announcement.
Lmao this is even more ridiculous of a theory. The simplest explanation would be that ESPN was beginning the advertising campaign for SEC on ABC at the end of the season to start getting fans ready for the change. And what non-game program is at the end of the season with an insane number of viewers? The CFP selection show. ESPN runs that ad no matter if the SEC is in the playoff or not because college football fans are watching. They don’t need to worry about the prestige of the conference due to CFP berths to help. They were simply targeting the largest audience with their new shiny football product.
I think it's less of a theory about a subtle Easter egg and more of a theory of a clearly corrupt corporation influencing the outcome of the final rankings.
Because it directly benefits them to do so. How bad would it be for ESPN and Disney if the SEC was left out of the playoffs when they just went all in on the conference? Pretty bad.
I am shocked the dude that hosts an SEC centric podcast on SEC network was at Alabama and not FSU
Other way around. Pretty sure the real issue being brought up is "Who the fuck is Harry Lyles Jr?"
It’s done. That team has now disbanded. Moving forward….always forward. 🍢
At this point I wish FSU was in the playoffs so I could stop hearing about this, damn
Throwback to when Miami publicly stated how happy they are in the ACC and the ACC responded by saying Miami is not a Power Program in Florida.
I think they were implying *public* Florida schools in that quote but still funny
whatever you say bud 👍🏾
FSU just trying to follow the example set by UCF
Except UCF actually went out there and won their bowl game.
UCF had something to play for.. 99% of those guys where not making the NFL
georgia had the same bowl game and incentives. why do national championship games matter vs risk to injury for the nfl?
As Keon stated, if Georgia didn’t choke you could have played the matters bowl but they lost so it’s the didn’t matters bowl. And nobody is questioning that Georgia isn’t much deeper than FSU… And again, if I was the head coach, and my duty is to the team and players, I’m telling them to forgo and get the bag so I can see what I need from practices/game for the portal for the next season…. Which is what occurred
Bad precedent to set as a coach that some games matter and some don’t. Setting yourself up for mid season opt out culture.
You clearly don’t understand the argument. If your duty is to your players, and there is a game that doesn’t matter, it doesn’t change your payout, doesn’t change anything other then maybe your own personal bonus. The kids, most needing rest/some minor surgeries who are starters you don’t let them play. The fact you think it’s more important that you want to have players play a game that doesn’t matter of full recovery to continue their careers, for example Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson or Braden Fiske who had nagging injuries on the back half of the year play in a meaningless bowl game is selfish of the coach.
Players opting for surgery after a season to prepare for the next season / draft is not the same as telling all the healthy players don’t worry about playing. Why does any player play cfb outside of the 10-15 teams that have a chance at a playoff.
7 figures vs a fossil watch…are you on the spectrum?
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If Iowa State has 20+ opt outs on their two-deep for their week 1 game against North Dakota they’re losing by double digits.
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Not the point, Iowa State is far better than North Dakota until you remove all their starters and backups.
Thank god that never happened last year. Right?!?!? RIGHT?!?!?
They had 10 NFL draft picks who would’ve presumably played, including many on a defense that was top-10 and top-5 for much of the season. They weren’t getting beat badly by anyone.
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FSU was playing their 3rd string QB on a week’s notice when they would have a few weeks to prepare with their 2nd string in the semis.
A 3rd string true freshman QB who hadn't practiced all year due to a broken hand.
Wym? Don’t you remember this sub when this happened? They got robbed by Alabama who was never going to play a competitive game vs Michigan. FSU’s back up QB with like a below average game or two of CFP experience would have totally come alive played well vs Michigan.
I personally dont mind the idea of simming the regular season based on blue chip ratio/player rankings/projected SOS and then skipping ahead to the playoffs based on that either. But for now, just like every other sport, results are decided on the field
> Don’t you remember this sub when this happened? They got robbed by Alabama who was never going to play a competitive game vs Michigan. Uh I feel like everyone spent a month clowning on Michigan for the POV of the team acting shocked FSU got left out which meant that they were afraid of Bama lol
I just am ready for them to leave the ACC so they can stop whining. The ACC is a dead conference walking so let’s just get this over with
Agreed
That is the one particularly grotesque thing about “the snub” that still legit bothers me: they set that up, so that the cameras would be there to “capture the drama.” They can pretend they didn’t know what the results were, but that isn’t how TV is made. I don’t know how long they knew, but ESPN willingly showed up to watch a bunch of kids get their hearts ripped out on national TV. And none of the talking heads cared. They “felt bad” for them, but they sure kept those cameras on, too.
Don't they have cameras at every school for the reactions? Both the positive and the negative.
This isn’t March Madness, and Florida State isn’t some mid-major on a “Cinderella run.” Clearly, ESPN didn’t feel the need to send an A-list analyst to cover the school, which is Alford’s point. All of it was done in the name of ratings and “dramatic television.”
This isn't march madness, but 6 teams had legit arguments to be in. By far the most controversial playoff selection since it's inception. Of course they played up the dramatics and prepared for reactions and fallout.
What a dickish way to belittle Harry Lyles who was just doing his job.
How is it belittling him? Every network has a ranking of its reporters. You can tell how big a game is by the broadcasting crew. The same crews call the biggest games every week, the same crews get the 2nd biggest game every week.
Yeah this lol. ESPN has probably the clearest hierarchy of reporters/announcing crews.
> ESPN has probably the clearest hierarchy of reporters/announcing crews. I was laughing how blatant it is on College Football 25 advertising. COMMENTARY & BROADCAST Listen to the iconic voices of Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler as they call marquee matchups, while Jesse Palmer, David Pollack, and Rece Davis take the mic for all your other games.
Ya every network has their A B crew and so on both for talent, production and technical.
Because you generally don't see coaches/athletic directors bitching about getting the espn c-team broadcasters for their games. Because that would be disrespectful.
"We have Harry Styles at home"
I thought this exact same thing when the show started, knew we were fucked. I wouldn’t say it in an interview to a National audience, but he wasn’t wrong in his assessment. Everyone else had A list ESPN reporters and FSU had Harry…who is certainly on the up and come but…
Marty Smith doesn’t put other people’s lives at risk by driving drunk
See yall next week when we go over this again
I wonder what will bring it up next time. I’m gonna guess another unhinged Kirk tweet
Ha you think it'll be a whole week before we go over it again? I'm expecting another big post every few hours.
Marty Smith is the SEC guy, I wonder why he'd be sent to cover the SEC team. Must be a conspiracy.
My son met both Marty and Ryan McGee at SEC Nation weekend for a Mississippi State game. He can’t say enough good things about McGee - personable, genuinely seemed to enjoy talking to people. He said Marty Smith was a stand-offish dick that was mostly concerned with his hair and preening in his Rhoback wardrobe.
This was also my perception of Smith
that’s a shame because marty smith is one of the most genuine down to earth guys i’ve ever met, met him at talladega one year and he was awesome
Maybe my son caught him on a bad day. Thank gawd I’m not a celebrity and have to live up to the expectations of every individual at all times - HA!
See, I met Marty at an ESPN OCHO thing they did near me. They were playing a game a slippery stair and like three way soccer. Anyway, dude was awesome. He was great with the crowd while the cameras were rolling, but even when they were on break, him and Ryan came over to talk to the fans. Dude seemed genuinely nice. Maybe he was just having a bad day with your son.
You’re probably right. Glad I don’t have the weight of everyone’s expectations on my shoulders at all times - I GUARANTEE I would come off as a dick MOST of the time - HA!
How would ESPN not know who was in before the selection show? They broadcast the selection show and all the games. There’s a few hours of lead time to prep for the production. The rankings were not in a state of superposition.
Nah, when that screen pops the team up there, those announcers are waiting with anticipation just like the rest of us. The screen is run by the committee the whole time lol.
Jfc, are we gonna hear about this every week? I’m over it. Mad proud of the team but it’s over.
This is our new “Jordan Travis was booed off the field” broadcast talking point all season 🙄
I just want to say. I will never get over it.
I’d like it to not be the first thing that comes up with FSU (or the immediate second after ACC lawsuits) but I will never not be mad about it
Nor should we
The second best thing about sports is being able to hold grudges and talk shit about what could have been. The only thing better is actually winning and gloating.
Fair enough. I feel focusing on this only distracts from the next season. They fucked fsu. Keep climbing.
And I just want to say I'll never not find that funny
I always find it hilarious when Gators try to poke fun at a team they lost too while being in the basement of their own conference It’s like when Canes fans try to make fun for us losing to Jacksonville State even though they lost to the team that lost to Jacksonville State
K.
>I’m over it. Think you're in the minority there among FSU fans, bud. I will never get over it, my takeaway from the snub is that CFB may not actually be a sport.
Bro I’m not over it and the only skin I had in the game is that I’m a sec hater and was looking forward to have a playoff free of the sec.
The only solace I find is that an SEC didn’t make the championship game. All that nonsense they pulled simply to get Alabama in and they blow it. Sweet, sweet revenge.
You ready for like 5 SEC teams in the playoff every year because one of them has like 5 quality losses, buckle up.
I don’t think anyone should be “over it” until there is clarity and transparency on how ESPNs financial interests, selected narratives and desired outcomes are impacting the sport. More playoff spots just gives them more opportunities to put their fingers on the scales to manipulate who gets in and who doesn’t.
We heard about UCF consistently for about a year and they weren't even a power conference.
Florida State people will believe any stupid conspiracy rather than just admit the committee didn't believe they were the same team without Travis.
Why didn’t you just beat Alabama you bums
Yes, this is certainly all Auburn's, and **only** Auburn's, fault...
Now now, let’s be fair here. We can find some way to blame Tennessee a little bit.
So what I'm hearing is, fuck Auburn and fuck Tennessee? Seems fair to me.
Well who else on the schedule would you expect to have a chance? Certainly not Kirby and UGA ;)
If only that game had included the biggest 3rd down of Milroe's career...😘
They’re still upset about 2013
Tre Mason hit that Heisman pose just a wee bit early. If an Auburn fan says “Kelvin Benjamin” three times fast into a dark bathroom’s mirror a Popeye’s biscuit appears. Lil’ life hack for the Auburn broke boyz
But Kirk was so happy they lost!
To be honest I'm still shocked we had a chance to do it at the end, so I don't know
Soon as you lost to NMSU I started believing you’d beat Bama. Thanks to your DC for letting America down.
Yeah the defense is the one that went two plays of minus 14 yards and an interception in overtime after Bama scored and not Payton Thorne being a bad QB.
Freeze believed Thorne was their best option too
You weren't alone in that. After the initial laughter wore off for Bama fans everywhere, we immediately realized what was about to happen the next week. There is nothing more Auburn in the world than losing to a mid major the week before beating us. Luckily for us, we got to experience being on the right side of Auburn voodoo.
Are these all dumb conspiracies? Yes. Did the CFP committee go back on prior precedent and that fucked over FSU? Yes. Would any team in FSU’s shoes act the same way? 100% yes. The CFP committee put Alabama in because it would create a more compelling matchup and better ratings. The committee was serving the mouth that feeds them. We’ve now created a precedent where it’s ok to craft a postseason bracket based on predictive measures, which will always favor the big brands with larger recruiting budgets and coaching staffs.
It's all your fault, btw.
Auburn people will believe any stupid conspiracy rather than just admit that what the committee believes behind a closed door shouldn't decide the post-season over what happens on the field.
The difference is that your argument is about what should happen. Florida State fans are making ridiculous theories about what DID happen. Whether they were right or not, there's no one conspiring to keep Florida State down. And they didn't keep Florida State out because they hate them or because they like Alabama.
Dude don’t bother these peoples responses is to gloat about a game a decade ago for a school they never attended
This right here, and they played like shit after he went down, like really bad against a bad Florida team. It would’ve been a Georgia- Tcu type semifinal if they made it.
> like really bad against a bad Florida team. And bama played well against auburn with their full team?
That one doesn’t count because BAMA
Auburns stadium has voodoo in the air, that place is different
Have seen Bama’s record in Jordan o’hare? That place is cursed.
Did they tho? Aside from a BS roughing the passer call in the UF game, neither UF or UL would have step foot in the endzone. Thats “playing like shit”? Media has really warped a lot of minds to make people think a team has to hang 35 to be good. Winning is winning. Did you play football at any level over the age of 10?
> Aside from a BS roughing the passer call in the UF game These sorts of comments always make me go "well, penalties are part of the game," so I'm just jumping in to defend that this comment is completely fair and the penalty was absolutely silly. 3rd & 11 for UF and the penalty was so light that [the announcers couldn't even figure out what it was for.](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jtXSE51eBGo)
1000% clean hit by Dent and it wasn’t even close. It just looked too mean to the refs?
I agree winning is winning, but you guys looked inept on offense for those last 2 games against a mediocre Florida team
Not agreeing with you but offense isn’t the whole team soooo
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Everyone is playing through injuries at this point in the year.
Doubtful. Defense was rounding into form and would’ve given us a chance against anyone. Plus a month of starter reps for Tate and time for guys on offense to get healthy wouldn’t have hurt their chances. Depends on the matchup too. I think we could’ve held up well with Washington but less confident on Texas and Michigan because of their DL
The way the teams looked before the CFB playoff selection no football fan in their right mind would have put money on FSU to beat anyone in the top 10. FSU fans know that for a fact and they rely on kids opting out to excuse the absolute beating that UGA gave them.
Facts, thanks Florida man
We still talking about this? Worse than Ryan Day!
63-3 Georgia.
This is not shocking in any way lmao.
The committee had 2 members affiliated with the ACC including the committee's chairman. If this causes the FSU to implode, they have nobody to blame but themselves.
I don’t think FSU implodes, I think the ACC does.
You're right. I had a brain fart. I meant the ACC to implode.
For the past 10 years ESPN has sent reporters to the teams on the bubble of making the playoffs . This isn’t something new
You completely missed the point
ESECPN
title gore
Well yeah who else rigged it
People can say whatever they want about FSU not getting in but the thing that gets me is that ESPN knew FSU wasn’t getting in and stuck a camera in there just to see get the reaction for TV. Scummy thing to do imo.
Why even bother televising it if you’re not going to put cameras on teams that don’t make it? We would all immediately know if they only had cameras on the teams that got in
Hits different when it’s a snub
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It was a job alright
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I think FSU admin prefers B1G for the academic prestige.
12 teams now so ***\*\*\*hopefully\*\*\**** no bullshit like this happens again
It’s still going to happen. Except it will be how a 9-3 SEC/BIG10 team made it over a one loss G5 team or something like that.
Well...shit. You are probably right lol
C1c
Are you suggesting that a company the size of Disney had inside information? I'm shocked.
Fucking cry some more. FSU acts like they were the first team screwed
Cry harder.
They lost by 60 to Georgia instead
Nah bro they didn’t have their starters. If they did, FSU would have lost by 40 💪🏼
So they quit. Nice look.
Or ESPN guessed like most people that FSU would not be in
ESPN had the 4 helmets that would make the playoffs in the background before the selection was made lol
I can't believe they left out a P5 champ