Greg Sankey Takes Shot At Florida State Over 2023 'Unconquered' Season

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey clearly was not a fan of how the Florida State Seminoles football program handled being left out of the 2023 College Football Playoff.

Sankey, speaking at SEC Media Days, was asked about the College Football Playoff and the upcoming expansion for the 2024 season. Referencing how the 2023 field was decided, with Texas, Washington, Alabama and Michigan rounding out the field and Georgia left out, Sankey took the opportunity to take a shot at Florida State.

"Georgia was one of the best four teams (in the country) and didn’t get in (to the playoff), but you didn’t see us jumping up and down and complaining and hanging national championship banners," Sankey said.

Could he possibly be referencing the Florida State program and their "unconquered" messaging and ACC Championship ring?

Georgia SEC College Football Playoff

DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 16: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs speaks during SEC Football Media Days at Omni Dallas Hotel on July 16, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.  (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

SEC, Florida State Not Exactly On The Best Terms In 2024

By the advanced metrics, specifically ESPN's S&P+ ranking system, Georgia was, in fact, the second-best team in the country in 2023. Sankey's right to identify that Georgia had a compelling case to make the playoff. 

But he's wrong to ignore that Alabama likely shouldn't have. Yes, the Crimson Tide beat Georgia and won the SEC. But Alabama was also unbelievably fortunate to escape Auburn, using a miraculous fourth down touchdown to win a game in which they were thoroughly outplayed.

Going off the "best" team argument would have meant a final four of Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State and Penn State. Just imagine how furious Sankey and the national college football media would have been with that configuration. 

This is why the criticisms of Florida State are tough, yes, the Seminoles likely weren't one of the best four teams in the country. But they won every game they played, in what is generally considered a power five conference. Others didn't. Their "unconquered" celebrations were embarrassing yes, but individuals within the SEC have frequently campaigned for their teams to be included in the playoff.

Nick Saban did it literally last year.

Sankey's shot was well deserved, but what's that saying about glass houses?