Deion Sanders on Florida State's 2023 playoff snub: 'There's no telling what they would have done'

The College Football Playoff expansion to 12 playoff teams ahead of the 2024 season has more than a few coaches excited across the college football landscape. It even has coaches like Colorado‘s Deion Sanders excited because of what it could mean to just about anyone in the sport.

A year ago, in a four-team playoff, that wasn’t the case.

“I’m happy and elated that more teams have a chance, because some teams get hot late and they just don’t get in,” Deion Sanders said. “And you see it in all these teams sitting by the TV, and they don’t get selected, like Florida State did last year. There’s no telling what they would have done. And you don’t have that now. Now you got 12 teams going in and I pray to God that we’re one of them.”

Florida State’s snub was particularly noteworthy. It was the first time a Power Five conference team had gone undefeated, including winning its conference championship, only to be left out of the Playoff.

And while the Seminoles were spanked by SEC runner-up Georgia in their consolation Orange Bowl appearance, that wasn’t at all reflective of what the team had done previously.

Sure, there was the argument that star quarterback Jordan Travis was hurt and the Seminoles were a different team without him. Still, it’s impossible to deny the body of work that Florida State put together.

The good news is that snub aside, nobody should get the short end of the stick to that degree again. Sanders, of course, hopes his team leaves no doubt in the event it becomes a true contender.

“I’m happy. I’m excited. I want to be part of the four, OK?” Deion Sanders said. “Not the 12. But I’m happy just to get in, OK? So, we’re elated because now there’s the opportunity. And you show any man or woman opportunity, and if they have the right ingredients inside, they’re going to seize the moment and they’re going to try to go get it.”

Colorado will certainly have some quality pieces to work with. They have two of the most popular players in the game in quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

Whether those two can help launch the Buffaloes forward into not only a winning season, but a playoff-caliber season, remains to be seen. But that’s the goal for Deion Sanders and company.

And now there’s a lot more wiggle room.