Booger McFarland on Florida State's initial CFP ranking: 'Suprised to see them this low at no.4'

The first College Football Playoff top 25 ranking of the 2023 season has just dropped, and the Florida State Seminoles are in the top 4. However, while Florida State may have a spot in the initial College Football Playoff field, ESPN college football expert Booger McFarland was none too thrilled with their ranking.

In the Week 10 CFP top-25, the Seminoles came in at No.4, behind Michigan at No. 3, Georgia at No.2, and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the top spot. But given how Florida State has fared to start the season and how dominant they have looked throughout much of the year, McFarland believes they should have been higher in the rankings.

“I love Florida State,” said McFarland. “I think they have the most explosive offense in the country. Their front seven is deep. They’ve got playmakers on the outside at wide receiver in Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman. I think they’re one of the better teams in the country; surprised to see them this low at No. 4.”

Florida State has been as dominant as any other undefeated Power 5 school this season. The offense has been led by the stellar play of Heisman-hopeful quarterback Jordan Travis. And on the defensive side of the ball, EDGE Jared Verse and the rest of the Seminoles front seven have been getting after opposing quarterbacks nonstop this season.

Unfortunately, Florida State resides in the ACC, which is arguably the weakest Power 5 conference this season. On top of that, the Seminoles have yet to play any other schools in the ACC having a decent season this year, including Louisville, North Carolina, and Miami, who they will play later in the season. Their one saving grace is the non-conference win in Week 1 over the LSU Tigers. LSU starts off the College Football Playoff rankings as the highest-ranked two-loss team, sitting at No.13.

Florida State and defense might have a right to be up in arms about their initial ranking. Compared to the other three teams in the current playoff picture, only Ohio State has a better strength of schedule and FPI, according to ESPN.

Still, if comparison is king here, the Seminoles could be in a worse position. They could have found themselves where the other undefeated Power 5 program, the Washington Huskies, are sitting just outside the playoffs at No. 5. The Huskies also own a victory over a highly ranked program. Washington beat the highest seated one last program, the Oregon Ducks, back in Week 7 of the season.