Even many Gator fans were dismayed and angry over the College Football Playoff decision to keep Florida State University’s undefeated football team out of the top four that will play for the national championship.

Facebook, Twitter (X) and other social media were ablaze.

Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in on Twitter: “What we learned today is that you can go undefeated and win your conference championship game, but the College Football Playoff committee will ignore these results. Congratulations to @FSUFootball on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!”

Michael Alford, FSU athletic director was to the point: “The argument of whether a team is the ‘most deserving OR best’ is a false equivalence. It renders the season up to yesterday irrelevant and significantly damages the legitimacy of the College Football Playoff.”

In making their decision, the group ignored what the team has achieved and based their decision on what they think might happen. They are not in the fortune-telling business.

Apparently, those on the 13-member committee making the decision figured FSU had no chance after having lost their starting quarterback.

Have they never watched a college football game? Ohio State defeated Oregon in the championship game with their third-string quarterback in the CFP inaugural season.

Michigan, Washington, Alabama and Texas were chosen for the top four. FSU, No. 5, will play Georgia, No. 6, in the Orange Bowl.

“For many of us, today’s decision by the committee has forever damaged the credibility of the institution that is the College Football Playoff,” Alford said. “And, saddest of all, it was self-inflicted. They chose predictive competitiveness over proven performance; subjectivity over fact. They have become a committee of prognosticators. They have abandoned their responsibility by discarding their purpose – to evaluate performance on the field.

“Our players, coaches, and fans – as well as all those who love this sport – deserve better. The committee failed college football today.”