Dan Rubenstein opens up on Florida State's playoff chances without Jordan Travis

The Florida State Seminoles suffered a massive loss on Saturday, as their star quarterback Jordan Travis went down with a gruesome looking leg injury in the first half of their win over North Alabama. Despite the big injury, the Seminoles still sit at No. 5 overall in the College Football Playoff Rankings. Travis is done for the year and now the ‘Noles will have to turn to other options to finish the season.

Can the Seminoles still make the playoff with backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker under center?

Dan Rubenstein on Florida State’s playoff chances

Dan Rubenstein of The Solid Verbal podcast came on the Andy Staples Show on Wednesday night. Rubenstein shared his thoughts on whether or not the ‘Noles can still make the 2023 College Football Playoff without their star quarterback under center.

If Tate Rodemaker plays well and the Seminoles can take care of business against Florida and Louisville, does Rubenstein think the ‘Noles will still make the College Football Playoff?

“Look, you’d have to give me final scores. If they beat them each by double digits. I mean, how do you say no. Right? With the precedent of Cardale Jones,” Rubenstein said. “So, the Cardale Jones thing is interesting because Ohio State left no doubt. I think it was Wisconsin. Right? He left no doubt. And so, you can say, if there’s a drop off, we can’t see it immediately.

“The scoreboard doesn’t reflect it and that’s plenty for us. At that point, if you’re absolutely demolishing Florida, who’s a flawed team of course. And Louisville’s good, but I think we agree that they’re not incredible right now.”

While he believes Louisville to be a formidable opponent; he doesn’t see them as a team Florida State can afford to play a close game with and still maintain their position if all other factors remain the same but if Florida State continues to handle business to the same degree they did with Travis, he sees no argument against them getting into the College Football Playoffs.

“They lost to Pitt. They’re not distancing themselves from average competition. That’s fine. It’s a great story,” he continued. “It’s a great Year 1, undoubtedly. If they beat them by 14 points and Florida by 10-14 points. 17 points. What case do you have against Florida State, really? Because it’s not like Jordan Travis’ Florida State had been distancing themselves all that often from average ACC competition. So, if Tate Rodemaker’s doing more of the same? I don’t think the case is terribly strong to keep a 13-0 Florida State out,” Rubenstein said.

Florida State and Florida will square off this Saturday, November 25th in Gainesville, Florida. Kick time for that one is slated for 7:00 PM EST.