Paul Finebaum: 'Florida State is in deep trouble' with CFP committee after Jordan Travis injury

Florida State is on thin ice. During an appearance on “First Take” on Tuesday, Paul Finebaum revealed how the Seminoles can skate their way into the College Football Playoff despite losing quarterback Jordan Travis to injury last week.

“Florida State is in deep trouble,” Finebaum said. “They have a game Saturday night at Florida. Florida is trying to get to a bowl game, so we’re not talking about an elite team, but it is a rivalry game. How does your backup quarterback play?”

Even if Travis did not suffer a season-ending injury against North Alabama in Week 12, Florida State couldn’t overlook Florida. The rivalry game is consistently close. In 2022, FSU escaped with a 45-38 victory. Just one year prior, Florida limped away with a 24-21 win.

The Seminoles shouldn’t expect any different this season. However, a win isn’t all FSU needs. Finebaum believes the CFP selection committee will be surveying Travis’ replacement closely. Tate Rodemaker certainly stepped up to the challenge last week.

When Travis left the game with an injury, FSU trailed 13-0. Rodemaker proceeded to lead FSU to 58 unanswered points while completing 13 of 23 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Nonetheless, a simple win over Florida won’t be enough for the Seminoles to reach the CFP.

Florida State needs more than a narrow win

“Then, the following week against Louisville, they need to be dominant,” Finebaum said. “If they barely get by either game, I think the committee is going to look at that and go, ‘Jordan Travis was the reason why they were an elite team.’ And, quite frankly, I think they very well may be kept out [of the CFP].”

Louisville has been hot lately, currently riding a four-game winning streak. The Cardinals’ explosive offense, which averages 33.5 points per game, will be another test for FSU. Finebaum believes the Seminoles can’t simply pass these tests. They have to ace them.

“They shouldn’t be put in over other schools that have been dominating other schools that have been elite,” Finebaum said. “If Alabama somehow beats Georgia, I’m not keeping Georgia home so Florida State can go and get blown out by 40 points in the semifinals like we saw in the final game last year with TCU. We’ve had enough of that.”

Florida State will look to make a statement this weekend. On Saturday, the Seminoles will square off against the Florida Gators at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.