Paul Finebaum: Florida State 'is in trouble,' but College Football Playoff hopes are still alive

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Paul Finebaum doesn’t believe the College Football Playoff is out of reach for Florida State, even after their demoralizing loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland.

During the latest edition of Get Up on ESPN, Finebaum explained that while Mike Norvell’s team may have had their spirits crushed, they need to get back on the horse and recapture their motivation. The season is far from over for the Seminoles.

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“No. I mean, they’re not in great shape, but the hyperbole is going to have to pause for a few minutes, because Greeny, one loss does not end your season,” Finebaum said to Mike Greenberg, regarding whether Florida State’s CFP hopes went up in smoke in Ireland. “It’s a conference loss, and I think that’s the most important thing, because in the new world, the ACC champion would end up getting a bid to the playoffs. So, that puts them in a problematic situation.

“I think, really, ultimately, where Florida State is in trouble, is their schedule. They have Notre Dame later, which plays for the at-large bid. They also have Miami, a number of other key games, including Clemson. So, they’re in trouble. And you know, their fans won’t be able to sue their way into the Playoff this year, like they tried last year.”

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That’s the reality for Florida State — as Finebaum basically put it, the Seminoles still control their own destiny. If they win against their stiffest competition, Norvell and company will likely do enough to get into the Playoff.

Regardless of his enthusiasm for Florida State’s chances at the CFP, Finebaum couldn’t help but make some jokes at their expense after their loss to Georgia Tech, stating that the Seminoles should place a phone call to Judge Judy during an appearance on SportsCenter over the weekend if they want to make it.

“I kept expecting an attorney to walk out to midfield and slap Ireland or Guinness with a lawsuit,” Finebaum said, via SportsCenter. “Florida State always finds someone else to blame when things don’t go their way and we saw that last year when they blamed the media. Then, they started suing their own league, and it was really the worst possible start for a team that so many people expected to make the playoffs.

“I realize that’s not over yet, but the way they performed yesterday, especially offensively, this team better call Judge Judy or somebody because I don’t think they’re going to make it. I mean, getting run over by a middle-of-the-road ACC team — it was music to the ears of a lot of Florida State haters.”

In the end, Florida State can still rebound and make the Playoff, even with their loss to the Yellow Jackets, but Georgia Tech certainly made the entire situation a bit more difficult for the Seminoles in 2024.