In a stunning turn of events, the College Football Playoff committee is facing a difficult decision as they determine the four teams that will compete for the coveted playoff spots. With four teams vying for two spots, the committee's nightmares have come true. The ACC Championship game proved to be a hard-fought battle between No. 4 Florida State and No. 10 Louisville, with Florida State emerging victorious with a 16-6 win. However, despite their ACC title win and undefeated record, doubts surround Florida State's eligibility for the playoff.

The first half of the game was unimpressive, to say the least, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. The only score came from a Florida State field goal, and the offenses failed to generate much momentum. Both teams combined for a mere 34 yards of offense in the first nine drives of the game, resulting in 11 punts, a turnover on downs, and a missed field goal.

It wasn't until the second half that the game picked up. Louisville kicked a field goal to tie the game at three, but Florida State's Lawrance Toafili soon shifted the momentum in his team's favor. Breaking free for a 73-yard run, Toafili found the end zone on his next rush, giving Florida State a 10-3 lead. Louisville managed to cut their deficit to four with a field goal in the fourth quarter, setting up a tense final stretch.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Louisville had a chance to turn the game in their favor after effectively sacking the punter on 4th and long. However, a costly interception by Jack Plummer in the end zone resulted in a touchback, snuffing out their hopes of a comeback. Both teams exchanged punts, and Florida State sealed their victory with a field goal, extending their lead to six. As rain poured down in Charlotte, the Seminoles added a 40-yard field goal as an extra bonus.

The standout performers for Florida State were Lawrance Toafili, who rushed for an impressive 118 yards on just 10 carries, and Trey Benson, who added another 67 yards on 18 rushes. Their contributions played a crucial role in securing the ACC title for Florida State.

Meanwhile, in another conference championship game, No. 7 Texas shocked the college football world by ousting No. 1 Georgia, the back-to-back defending national champions, in the SEC title game. The victory catapulted Texas into the playoff discussion, adding an extra layer of complexity to the committee's decision-making process.

Despite their loss, Georgia's resume remains strong, having won 29 games in a row before their defeat. This puts them in contention for a playoff spot, further reducing the available spots for teams like Florida State, Alabama, and Texas.

Michigan and Washington are expected to secure the top two seeds, respectively, as undefeated conference champions. Following closely behind them are one-loss teams Texas and Alabama, who have showcased their strength throughout the season. Texas notably defeated Alabama earlier in the season, securing a road win that could sway the committee's decision.

The debate surrounding Florida State's inclusion in the playoff arises from the team's performance since star quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a severe leg injury. Without Travis, the Seminoles have struggled offensively and have shown vulnerabilities against lower-ranked opponents such as Louisville and Florida. Critics argue that this version of Florida State would be no match for the top teams in the playoff and would likely suffer heavy defeats.

The committee finds itself in a challenging position, faced with the dilemma of whether to reward an undefeated power five conference champion or consider the impact of a significant injury. Leaving out an undefeated power five conference champion would be unprecedented in the playoff era. However, the committee must also weigh the overall strength and competitiveness of the team.

As the committee prepares to announce the playoff pairings, the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the final decision is palpable. This year's chaos and drama have injected a new level of excitement into the playoff race, highlighting the need for an expanded playoff format in the future.

In the end, it is clear that the committee's primary responsibility is to select the four best teams for the playoff. While Florida State's entire body of work and undefeated record are commendable, the team's shortcomings and lackluster performances in recent games raise doubts about their ability to compete at the highest level. As the playoff reveal approaches, the fate of Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas hangs in the balance, leaving fans and experts eagerly awaiting the committee's decision.