Paul Finebaum calls reaction from Florida State fans 'unprecedented'

Paul Finebaum believes the reaction from Florida State faithful after missing the College Football Playoff has simply been “unprecedented.”

Joining McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, the SEC Network analyst explained why what he’s seen from Seminoles fans over the last week and a half has surprised him, as he tried to make sense of the situation.

“Really unprecedented,” Finebaum said, regarding the reaction from Florida State fans. “I understand, all the things that have been said, I understand the frustration. But the complete and total reinterpretation of what college football, and the College Football Playoff, is about, to me, has been truly astonishing.

“I never get too upset, or maybe upset at all, about what I read on Twitter, because I realize those are people who can’t get into your show, or any other show, just expressing themselves. But more from just, people in the industry, people who do understand how the CFP is developed and designed. To me, it is just complete and unadulterated fake outrage. It’s part of where we are in society, where people without any facts, without any information, just gravitate to an issue, embrace it, squeeze it and just regurgitate whatever the talking points are. I’m glad we’re not eight days past it. But it’s still out there, and I think it’s one of those narratives that just simply gets created, and never leaves. It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not.”

Additionally, Finebaum wondered whether if roles were reversed and Alabama was on the outside looking in if we would see a similar reaction.

“At no point have I heard anyone say, ‘Well, what if we reversed it? What would you have to say about Alabama,’ as if they didn’t do anything to get in. To me, they did. They just didn’t have the Jordan Travis situation, and we’re going to hold them hostage for playing a very difficult schedule, and then dealing with the biggest and baddest team in the country and beating them in Georgia,” Finebaum added. “I just think that’s a complete travesty.”

Alas, there’s no changing it now, but Florida State faithful certainly does have a leg to stand on. Everything that could be said has been said by now, and they have a myriad of high-profile pundits in their corner.

Nevertheless, the Seminoles won’t get left out if they have a similar season in 2024. Still, the sting of barely missing the Playoff as an undefeated Power Five champion won’t go away anytime soon.