Lee Corso, a staple of college football analysis and a key figure on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” has long been known for his fiery takes, in-depth knowledge, and humorous banter about the sport. As college football seasons come to a close, one of the most debated topics among fans, analysts, and players alike is the selection of teams for the College Football Playoff (CFP). With only four spots available and a growing list of deserving teams, the decision of who should make it to the final playoff dance is a heated and contentious discussion.
Over the years, Corso has often weighed in on which teams are most deserving of a spot in the postseason, and in 2024, his take is no different. As the college football world eagerly anticipates the playoff selection, Corso identifies a squad that, according to him, ought to have qualified for the CFP but was left out. While the choice might be subject to debate, Corso’s perspective offers valuable insight into how a team can be overlooked despite strong performances throughout the season.
The College Football Playoff: A Brief Overview
The College Football Playoff is the pinnacle of college football, where the top four teams in the nation face off for the ultimate prize— a national championship. The selection process, carried out by a committee, takes into account a variety of factors: strength of schedule, conference championships, head-to-head results, and the eye test. With just four spots available, the decision often leaves many teams on the outside looking in.
While the CFP system was meant to bring more clarity and fairness to the postseason selection process, controversy still arises. The expansion of the playoffs to 12 teams, set to take place in 2024, has generated a mix of excitement and skepticism. However, for this year’s selection, the four-team format means that only the best of the best can compete for the championship. The road to the playoffs is difficult, and often, teams that appear deserving may be left out due to narrow criteria or controversial selections.
Lee Corso’s Take: The Missing Squad
In recent discussions about the 2024 College Football Playoff, Lee Corso has made it clear that there is one team he feels should have earned a spot but did not: the Florida State Seminoles.
Florida State’s Case for the Playoff
Florida State’s 2024 season was a remarkable journey, one that showcased the team’s resilience, skill, and determination. The Seminoles finished the regular season with a perfect record, 12-0, and won the ACC Championship, which would typically be a lock for a spot in the CFP. The team’s offense, led by star quarterback Jordan Travis and a potent array of weapons, was among the most dangerous in college football. Their defense was just as formidable, consistently stifling opponents with a mix of aggressive pass rush and sound coverage in the secondary.
Despite the perfect season and conference championship, Florida State found itself excluded from the top four in favor of other teams that had better strength-of-schedule metrics or more impressive individual wins. Many felt that Florida State, with its undefeated record and ACC title, should have been an automatic inclusion into the playoff field. Corso, ever the outspoken analyst, argued that the Seminoles’ overall performance throughout the season was worthy of a playoff spot, particularly considering their conference championship.
The Case Against Florida State’s Inclusion
While Corso’s take on Florida State is clear, the argument against the Seminoles making the playoff is not without merit. The selection committee is tasked with evaluating not just records but also the quality of a team’s victories. Florida State’s schedule, while challenging, did not feature as many marquee wins as other playoff hopefuls like the top SEC or Big Ten teams. The Seminoles’ strength of schedule was called into question, with some detractors pointing out that Florida State’s non-conference slate and ACC matchups did not stack up to the likes of other conference champions.
Additionally, Florida State’s undefeated record was somewhat marred by a few close calls throughout the season. In the ACC Championship game, for instance, the Seminoles narrowly defeated a resilient opponent, leaving some to wonder whether they truly belonged among the elite teams in the nation. Critics also pointed to a midseason win that came in controversial circumstances, with several questionable calls and key injuries leaving questions about Florida State’s true strength.
But Corso, ever the optimist and advocate for the underdog, maintained that Florida State had proven its mettle week in and week out. They had won every game, often in convincing fashion, and had earned the right to compete for a national title. In his view, an undefeated Power Five conference champion, especially one that had navigated the pitfalls of a competitive conference, deserved to be included in the playoff conversation, regardless of a perceived lack of signature victories.
The Broader Argument: Why Strength of Record Should Matter
In Corso’s analysis, the debate over Florida State’s exclusion highlights a broader issue with the current CFP selection process: the weight placed on strength of schedule versus the importance of simply winning games. The current system often prioritizes head-to-head matchups, big victories over highly-ranked teams, and conference championships. But Corso’s argument points to the idea that a team’s overall consistency and ability to handle business week in and week out should not be overlooked in favor of strength of schedule alone.
Corso, throughout his career, has emphasized the value of teams that perform at a high level across the entire season. This view aligns with Florida State’s approach, where they were not just winning games, but dominating their opponents in nearly every aspect of the game. From Jordan Travis’s leadership at quarterback to the Seminoles’ suffocating defense, Florida State presented a well-rounded team that was capable of going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the nation. For Corso, their undefeated record and conference title were enough to merit inclusion in the playoff field.
The Emotional Aspect: Florida State’s Impact on the College Football Landscape
Corso’s passionate support for Florida State also stems from a deeper emotional connection to the game and the underdog story. College football, in its essence, is about passion, pride, and the pursuit of greatness. Florida State, led by a coach who had re-established the program’s prominence, was on a historic run, and Corso saw their journey as emblematic of the very spirit that college football is supposed to represent.
Florida State, having been absent from the College Football Playoff picture in recent years, had battled back from adversity to reach the top of the ACC. This kind of turnaround is exactly the type of story that resonates with Corso, who has always appreciated teams that defy expectations and make their mark on the sport. He saw the Seminoles as deserving of the national stage, not only because of their on-field success but because of what they represented: a team that had earned its place through grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The Larger College Football Landscape
While Corso’s take on Florida State is passionate, it also highlights the broader conversation about the state of college football and the selection process. In recent years, the College Football Playoff has faced criticism for being too focused on traditional powerhouse conferences, such as the SEC and Big Ten, and for excluding deserving teams from smaller conferences or those with less obvious national appeal.
The debate over Florida State’s inclusion into the CFP is just one example of how the current system might be flawed. Corso’s stance on the issue underscores the importance of a more inclusive, comprehensive selection process that takes into account a wider variety of factors, such as overall team performance, consistency, and the ability to win in multiple ways.
