Mike Norvell addresses Florida State dropping in the College Football Playoff rankings

Saturday against North Alabama was a tough one for Florida State. Not because of the result, where the Seminoles cruised to a 58-13 win at home. But because of the injury to quarterback Jordan Travis, whose college career is now over. A heartbreaking loss for the program just two wins away from making the College Football Playoff.

Florida State did drop a spot on Tuesday, moving to No. 5 and Washington took the coveted No. 4 spot. CFP committee chair Boo Corrigan claims it’s because of the win the Huskies earned on the road against Oregon State and not anything the Seminoles did.

Either way, Mike Norvell does not seem too bothered by the rankings. According to him, Florida State has not discussed where they stand in the committee’s eyes over the past few weeks. Norvell is just making sure his team can go out there and continue to play at a high level.

“I’ve not talked to them about rankings at any point,” Norvell said. “As I’ve said, the number that is in front of our name doesn’t matter a whole lot right now. It’s what we do with the opportunity. How we go out there, how we compete, how we play, the way that we continue to respond. We’re facing some adversity but I know this team will rise up together and I’m excited to see what they do.”

Mike Norvell rankings will benefit Florida State down the road

No matter what a college football head coach says, at some point, the rankings do matter. Florida State wants to be competing for a national championship this season — with or without Travis. It’s a program with high expectations and the quarterback’s injury does not change things in their eyes.

Norvell is confident the selection committee will place Florida State in the top four if they can win their season finale against Florida and then the ACC Championship vs. Louisville. In his eyes, the Seminoles control their own destiny.

“I’ve got all the confidence in the world that if we take care of our business, we do the things necessary — when we need the rankings to matter — we’ll be in position to compete for a national championship, if we do the things necessary to put ourself in that position.”

The one-loss teams sitting behind Florida State will certainly be hoping they are not able to finish the season undefeated — mainly Alabama and Texas. But if a 13-0 record is sitting next to the FSU logo, Norvell is confident his team will be playing in either the Sugar or Rose Bowl.