Boo Corrigan explains impact Jordan Travis injury had on College Football Playoff rankings

The College Football Playoff rankings changed this week, with Washington leap-frogging Florida State to take the No. 4 spot in this week’s rankings. And the question of Jordan Travis‘ injury looms large for Florida State.

The veteran quarterback was lost for the season Saturday when he was carted off, and Florida State’s playoff hopes took a hit.

So what exactly was the reason for Florida State dropping in the rankings? According to CFP selection committee chair Boo Corrigan on a live rankings reveal show on ESPN hosted by Rece Davis, it was strictly about Washington, not the Travis injury.

“It didn’t have any impact,” Corrigan said. “As we’re watching the game, Florida State starts off down 13. (Tate) Rodemaker comes into the game, they score 58 consecutive points. They’ve got a lot of dudes on the field, Rece. They’ve got a lot of guys who can play. As we’re looking at it, that’s where we are this week. Again, anything beyond that is going to be projecting.”

Davis seemed surprised by that answer, as one of the stated factors that the committee considers is injury. But it’s less a question of injuries being a factor in the rankings process as much as when they become a factor.

“That’s what the next couple weeks are going to be about, is continuing to watch Florida State,” Corrigan said. “Watch how they do. They’ve got a couple of tough games against Florida down in the Swamp and the ACC championship. We’ve got two more evaluation points that are going to come in the next two weeks.”

Still flummoxed, Davis followed up once more on the injury front, asking Corrigan directly what the committee’s charge is when it comes to evaluating injuries.

Once again, Corrigan didn’t deny that injuries play a factor, it’s just more about when they’re considered as a factor. With games to be played still, the committee will get a chance to see whether Florida State remains the same team it was when Jordan Travis was healthy.

The one thing the committee doesn’t want to do is unfairly penalize a team that suffers an injury but may not miss a beat on the field.

“The key to that, one, is not projecting into what it’s going to be the following week,” Corrigan said. “Right? Because that’s not what our job is. When we get to the championship, when we get after the championship games we need to take everything into account, at which point we can look at who’s going to be available, who’s not going to be available, and combine that with the previous 12 weeks, 13 weeks counting the conference championship game, and the statistical analysis and everything. In total, Rece, we’re going to look at everything.”