Getty Image
The SMU Mustangs secured a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff on Sunday, landing the No. 11 seed in the postseason tournament. Former Florida State defensive back Greedy Vance says they should be thanking the Seminoles.
Just last year, a 13-win FSU squad was left out of the playoff due to an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis. Alabama swooped in to steal the final postseason bid by leapfrogging the ‘Noles.
It seemed the Crimson Tide would again be a bid stealer in the 2024 edition of the College Football Playoff after going 9-3 in the regular season. Chaos in the ACC Championship Game prevented that reality from happening!
SMU played Clemson in the title game, ultimately losing 34-31 on a last second field goal. With the win, the Tigers landed an automatic bid. That left the committee to decide between the Mustangs and Alabama.
Nick Saban reacts to Alabama being out of the 12-team College Football Playoff. pic.twitter.com/xx74Z1KMfF
— ESPN (@espn) December 8, 2024
On paper, the Crimson Tide had a case due to strength of schedule. They boasted a win over SEC champion Georgia. They’d also knocked off three Top 25 foes to SMU’s zero.
The Mustangs, however, owned 11 wins to Alabama’s nine. Both of their losses came by three points. The College Football Playoff committee ultimately chose not to punish SMU for playing in a conference title game while the Tide watched championship weekend from home. It offered a stark contrast to last season!
Greedy Vance played on that snubbed Florida State squad. Going undefeated and winning the ACC held no weight due to circumstances outside of their control. The committee caught immediate backlash for the decision.
They chose not to double down this time around! Alabama might have the better resume, but the committee went with who they believed to be most deserving. They looked at wins and losses as opposed to the brand name. Vance wanted a thank you from SMU.
The only reason it went like that cause we ain’t get in last year.🥱
— Greedy Vance🏁 (@iam_jvxiiii) December 8, 2024
Vance believes that the committee changed its thinking. It didn’t want to deal with another offseason filled with “SEC Bias” narratives. They took the less controversial way out. Florida State was the sacrificial lamb for the ACC. SMU is reaping the benefits, at least in Vance’s eyes!