2023–24 College Football Playoff
Significant media criticism arose from the exclusion of Florida State, the first undefeated Power Five conference champion to be left out of the playoff and only the second such team ever to be not chosen for title contention (2004 Auburn).
As a result of their victories, Michigan and Washington faced each other in the national championship game, held on January 8 in Houston.
[2] Bill Hancock continued in his position as CFP executive director, which he has held since the organization's conception in 2012.
Florida State, who lost their starting quarterback Jordan Travis in their next-to-last regular season game against North Alabama,[12] and were also without backup Tate Rodemaker due to a concussion suffered the next game,[13] turned to Brock Glenn for their ACC Championship matchup with No.
[16] Michigan and Washington were generally seen as guaranteed bids while the final two spots were debated between Florida State, Texas, and Alabama.
Florida State's injury problems, particularly to Travis, were seen as a liability and potentially a reason to exclude them, though many analysts urged for their inclusion based on their undefeated record and conference championship.
[24] This marked the first time an undefeated Power Five team had been left out of the playoff, a decision that was met with significant criticism from the media.
[27] An antitrust investigation into the CFP was launched by Ashley Moody, the attorney general of Florida, and Governor Ron DeSantis, in the midst of his presidential campaign, proposed setting aside $1 million to help Florida State with legal fees in suing the CFP.
[28] In response to a letter from Senator Rick Scott, executive director Bill Hancock cited Travis's injury and a lower strength of schedule as the cause of FSU's exclusion; according to the ESPN Football Power Index, Florida State's strength of schedule ranked No.
This edition marked the CFP debut for the Longhorns, while Alabama made their eighth appearance, Michigan their third, and Washington their second.
[30] Each team scored a touchdown in the first quarter: Alabama on a Jase McClellan rush, and Michigan on a J. J. McCarthy pass.
The Wolverines led by three points at halftime and maintained this lead through to the fourth quarter when Alabama scored a touchdown.
[33] at Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, Louisiana Washington and Texas met in the Sugar Bowl for the second playoff semifinal; it was their sixth all-time meeting.
The Huskies began the second half by scoring thirteen unanswered points while forcing two Texas fumbles.
[35] Adonai Mitchell scored a rushing touchdown for Texas before the teams traded field goals in the fourth quarter.
Their next three plays resulted in no yardage gained, and they failed to score on 4th & Goal with no time remaining, giving Washington a six-point victory and a national championship game berth.
A field goal by James Turner shortly into the second quarter extended Michigan's lead to fourteen points.
These were the last scores of the game; Washington's last offensive possession ended with a turnover on downs on an incomplete pass, securing a national championship for the Wolverines.
