Title: Controversial Exclusion of Star Running Back Rocks College Football Playoff
Washington’s running back, Dillon Johnson, has expressed his deep sadness at the exclusion of his best friend, Trey Benson, from the College Football Playoff. Benson, who is the star running back for Florida State, has known Johnson since their kindergarten days and the two grew up playing football together in Mississippi.
Johnson voiced his disappointment with the playoff committee’s decision, arguing that no team should be excluded when they have an undefeated record. This controversy surrounding Florida State’s exclusion has triggered intense discussions and investigations, with even the state attorney general getting involved.
This dispute marks the first significant controversy in the College Football Playoff era and has raised questions about the entire selection process. Both Johnson and Benson firmly believed that their teams had a strong chance of facing each other in the playoffs. However, Florida State’s rankings dropped after their starting quarterback suffered an injury, leading to their exclusion.
Not only Johnson, but players from Texas also expressed their surprise and sympathy for Florida State. Many believed that the team deserved a spot in the playoffs. The aftermath of Florida State’s exclusion resulted in numerous players opting out of the Orange Bowl against Georgia.
Adding further fuel to the fire, speculation is rife about whether Florida State should claim a national title if they finish the season undefeated, drawing comparisons to the University of Central Florida’s controversial move in 2017.
Former SEC commissioner Roy Kramer argued that the committee’s role is to select the four best teams, regardless of their undefeated status. He also pointed out that leaving out an undefeated team is not uncommon in college sports, as witnessed in previous NCAA Tournaments and BCS Championship Games.
Florida State’s playoff snub is just one of the recent controversial moves by the school. The university has filed a lawsuit against the ACC and has been pursuing the possibility of joining either the SEC or the Big Ten. These moves have stirred up further controversy and uncertainty around the program.
The exclusion from the playoffs has deeply hurt both Florida State and their fans, and the pain is likely to linger. Johnson strongly believes that decisions like these should be made on the field and not solely based on injuries, expressing his frustration with the committee’s choice.
As the College Football Playoff continues, the controversy surrounding Florida State’s exclusion serves as a stark reminder that even the most prestigious teams can face unexpected challenges and unjust outcomes.
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