By: Thomas Seaman With the conclusion of the college football season it’s a good time to look back at the successes, failures, and aging features of the college football system. While once a captivating and useful concept, the bowl game system has become entirely dated and this is reflected by player participation and results. No game demonstrates this disturbing reality more effectively than this past season’s Orange Bowl matchup between Georgia and FSU. On paper, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs and Mike Norvel’s Seminoles promised an amazing battle between two of the best teams in the country that just barely got snubbed from the four team college football playoffs. In actuality, the Orange Bowl was a complete massacre with the Bulldogs destroying the Seminoles in a record setting 63-3 game. Despite the monumental loss, this game speaks less on the skill of the players and coaches on both sides of the field and more on the unfortunate state of college football. After becoming the first ever Power-5 team to go undefeated and be excluded from the CFB playoffs, the Seminoles would go on to enter the Orange Bowl in a sorry state. While the team was down to its third string quarterback and had lost depth due to unfortunate injuries, this was not what caused the result of the game. The extreme blow out loss can actually be attributed to the selfish decision made by a number of FSU stars leading up to the late December bowl game. While Georgia had no official opt-outs, FSU was missing a number of top players who made the decision to abandon their coach and teammates in the game in favor of waiting for the NFL draft. Entering the game, FSU was missing players who accounted for 97 percent of the teams passing yards, 88 percent of the teams rushing yards, and 84 percent of the teams receptions in this season. In total, FSU was down at least 29 scholarship players in total, with 24 of these being opt-outs who were cleared and very well able to play. This lack of participation from the ‘Noles speaks droves about the state of NCAA FBS football and the mindset that has been instilled in the athletes currently playing. With athletes already making substantial amounts of money before graduating, college football has become more about the individual and monetary gain than the team. This has been further reflected in the lack of participation in major games like the Orange Bowl. The concerning lack of participation by major players in what could have been a very competitive Orange Bowl matchup should be taken into account by scouts and NFL. Had FSU been selected for the playoffs, a similar matchup would have been likely; unfortunately, because they were not playing for a ring many players simply gave up. Such a lack of commitment to the team should be seen as extremely disappointing and reflect upon a level of selfishness and maturity unbefitting of a professional athlete. Regardless of whether they were disappointed, it is on another level to leave your coaches and teammates who you’ve spent years with out to dry against one of the best college football teams in the country. Unless there is a major culture or rule change in college football, there is plenty of potential for situations like this to repeat in future competitive non-playoff bowl games, even with the new 12-team playoff system.
4 Comments
Justin Goldberg
3/1/2024 01:50:40 pm
Way to go Seaman! Heck of an article!!!!
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Finn Reynolds
3/1/2024 01:53:33 pm
Great article I didn't know that Florida State had so many players sit out.
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Milith Batchu
3/1/2024 01:55:15 pm
THE SEAMAN DEMON WITH A GOATED ARTICLE
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Ms. Hocker
3/5/2024 11:03:15 am
Great article, Thomas! I didn't know about the various team dynamics that can affect bowl games.
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