Mike Norvell on Florida State's CFP case: 'We'll settle that tomorrow night'

Some coaches of College Football Playoff contenders are being vocal ahead of championship weekend about why they believe their team should be in the top 4. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is taking a different approach.

Norvell said Friday afternoon during the ACC Championship Game preview that he wants his team to make its statement on the field, not with quotes leading up to the game.

“I believe we’ll settle that tomorrow night, and that statement will be louder than any words I can say today,” Mike Norvell said. “And that’s what we’re aspiring to be and aspiring to do. A lot of people love to talk, and I want to see a team that acts. We take care of our business, and I’ve got a lot of confidence in where that’ll lead us.”

Florida State is currently ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff poll heading into the matchup with Louisville.

If the Seminoles win, Norvell believes his team should be in the top 4. But he plans to wait and make his case following the game, if he feels like he needs to.

“It comes down to we’ve had 12 opportunities to go out there and play this game, and we’ve found a way to be successful in every one of them. We’ve found ourselves in challenging situations. We’ve been able to do a lot of great things,” Norvell said. “But none of the lobbying or the talking about it would matter if we don’t take care of business tomorrow.”

Florida State will have to play without star quarterback Jordan Travis on Saturday, who suffered a gruesome injury late in the season.

The Seminoles could also be without backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker, who is in concussion protocol after taking a tough hit last weekend against Florida.

But no matter who is at QB against the Cardinals, if Florida State wins, Norvell believes his team has done enough to earn a College Football Playoff berth. It remains to be seen if the committee will agree.

“I believe in our team. That’s what we have. We have a football team. People try to point it to one player, they try to point it to a side of the ball. None of that matters,” Norvell said. “Our focus every day for four years has just been to go get better. To go get better, to be at our best. I truly believe if we can control that, the rest of it will take care of itself.

I’ve got a lot of confidence in what we can do, and for everything else that’s on the outside, we can’t do a whole lot about it, but going out there tomorrow night and playing the best that we can. We’ll make our statement and showcase the identity of what this team is all about, and I know where that would lead us.”