ESPN Criticized for Trolling Florida State Over College Football Playoff Snub

College football fans did not like the network’s jab at the program after the Seminoles were excluded from the top four teams on Sunday.

When the College Football Playoff committee decided to omit Florida State from this year’s top four teams in the final rankings that were announced Sunday, it generated plenty of discussion about the current four-team CFP format and its qualifications.

The CFP committee placed the undefeated Seminoles (13–0) at No. 5 in favor of Alabama (12–1) at No. 4 because of the Crimson Tide’s win against then No. 1 Georgia (12–1) in the SEC Championship game. CFP leaders also felt that FSU was not the same team following the season-ending leg injury to quarterback Jordan Travis in the Seminoles’ game against North Alabama on Nov. 18.

As FSU handled the news of being snubbed despite meeting CFP standards, ESPN trolled the Seminoles with a signature Last Dance segment from Naismith Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas sharing his disappointment of not being tapped for the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team.” 

However, college football fans were not happy about the network’s decision to go after the program.

Posting this garbage to 44 million people. Zero shame pic.twitter.com/KGqm3biP3s

— lukezim (@lukezim) December 4, 2023

Excellent TV partner here for our conference. @SeminoleAlford @WeatherfordDrew @PresMcCullough

— TJ Pittinger (@TJ_Pittinger) December 4, 2023

ESPN posting this as if everyone doesn’t know they’re contractually aligned with both the SEC and the committee. Bold stuff.

— Ryan Herbert (@RyHerbs) December 4, 2023

They know they have enough power that they don't even have to pretend anymore. They can go full mask off and there's nothing people who actually care about college football can do because they have a virtual monopoly on the sport.

— fire hugh freeze (@warneagle) December 4, 2023

Zero shame!
They do a little trolling!

— Avery R (@Avery822) December 4, 2023

The Seminoles felt they met the standard to be among the country’s top four programs. Despite Travis’s absence, FSU managed to remain undefeated this season as well as win the ACC title game against Louisville (10–3) on Saturday. 

Instead, FSU will face Georgia in the Orange Bowl at 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.