In a stunning turn of events, the Florida State Seminoles' exclusion from the College Football Playoff has sparked anger and controversy. Despite finishing the season with an impressive 13-0 record and winning the ACC, the Seminoles were left out of the playoff in favor of No. 4 Alabama and No. 3 Texas. The committee's decision was met with widespread criticism, as many believed that Florida State deserved a spot in the playoff.

The Seminoles' frustration was further amplified when they were pitted against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl. Georgia entered the game as heavy favorites, with odds stacked against Florida State. The Bulldogs wasted no time in proving the committee's decision right, delivering a devastating 63-3 beatdown to the Seminoles.

The game started with a glimmer of hope for Florida State when they successfully stopped Georgia on their first drive. However, that hope quickly faded as Georgia's Kendall Milton scored a touchdown in the first quarter, followed by another touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. The Bulldogs continued to dominate, scoring five more touchdowns in the second quarter alone. In contrast, Florida State struggled to find their footing, managing only a field goal, four punts, and four turnovers in the first half. The scoreboard read 42-3 in favor of Georgia at halftime.

The second half was no different, as Georgia's backups continued to outperform Florida State. The Seminoles' dreams of redemption were shattered, and the game served as a stark reminder of their exclusion from the playoff. Despite their impressive season, the Seminoles' hopes of playing for a national championship were dashed.

The controversy surrounding Florida State's exclusion from the playoff remains, with many questioning the committee's decision. The Seminoles' perfect record and conference championship were deemed not enough to secure a spot in the playoff. However, the committee pointed to Alabama's impressive win in the SEC title game and Texas' dominant victory in the Big 12 championship as factors that influenced their decision. Additionally, Florida State's starting quarterback, Jordan Travis, was sidelined due to injury, which may have impacted the committee's evaluation.

The Seminoles themselves have not taken the snub lightly. Players, including quarterback Brock Glenn and linebacker Kalen DeLoach, have expressed their belief that if they are the last undefeated team remaining, they should be considered national champions. Glenn even hinted at the possibility of raising a banner, drawing comparisons to the 2017 UCF team that claimed a national championship after their undefeated season.

While the Seminoles would have preferred to be in the College Football Playoff, they are using the Orange Bowl as an opportunity to prove their worth. The team is motivated to show the committee that they were wronged and that they deserved a chance to compete for the national title. The Orange Bowl, set to kick off at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Miami, will be their final chance to make a statement and end the season on a high note.

As the Seminoles face off against the Bulldogs, it is clear that the controversy surrounding their exclusion from the playoff will not be easily forgotten. The College Football Playoff committee's decision has ignited anger and debate, leaving Florida State and its fans questioning the fairness of the selection process. While Georgia celebrates their victory and looks ahead to future success, the Seminoles will use this experience as fuel to drive them forward, hoping to prove that they were indeed deserving of a spot in the playoff.