Nick Saban says he, Kirk Herbstreit 'didn't have anything to do with' Florida State College Football Playoff snub
As the 2024 college football season gets underway Saturday, Florida State fans are looking to avenge last year’s College Football Playoff snub. The Seminoles became the first undefeated conference champion to ever miss the CFP.
As ESPN’s College GameDay sat in Dublin for the season opener between FSU and Georgia Tech on Saturday, some boos rang out as Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard and Nick Saban started the show. But when previewing the ACC this year, Saban discussed the reaction when his Alabama team got in the CFP over Florida State.
Then, he said neither he nor Herbstreit were the reason for the snub. That said, Saban pointed out FSU was worthy of a spot in the four-team field, and that situation won’t happen again under the new 12-team format where conference champions get a spot.
“I got 1,000 phone calls when we got in the Playoff,” Saban said. “[Herbstreit] didn’t have anything to do with them not getting in the Playoff and I didn’t either. We both got hammered. … I’m glad we got in, and they probably should have got in, too, but at least we won’t have that situation this year.”
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Florida State lost plenty of production after last season’s ACC title and will debut a new look on offense with plenty of fresh faces. According to FSU’s first depth chart, seven transfers were listed as starters, with two more as a starter “or” a primary backup. The offense in particular will feature plenty of new faces as five transfers enter the starting lineup, although that number could be six.
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The biggest name of the group is quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who’s returning to the ACC after a year at Oregon State and three years at Clemson. He’ll be tasked with leading Mike Norvell’s offense after Jordan Travis’ departure, and he’ll have notable transfer weapons such as Roydell Williams and Malik Benson around him, as well.
As for how Norvell and the staff handled the CFP snub and Orange Bowl loss to Georgia – which saw many important opt-outs – Warchant’s Jeff Cameron said they’re not using it all. They want to shift the focus to this year’s group and write a new chapter.
“I don’t think he’s spent anytime focusing on that game,” Cameron told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “He’s talked about new chapters, yes, he’s talked about every year and every game is unto itself. And he’s talked a lot about forging and getting past things that happened to you in the past. But he’s really wanted this group to be about this group.”