CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Playing behind third-string quarterback Brock Glenn, No. 4 Florida State won the ACC championship Saturday night, beating Louisville 16-6 for what the Seminoles hope is enough to land them a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“I don’t think there is a conversation,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said during his postgame news conference. “This is a team that is well deserving. This is a team that has earned it. This is a team that has showed up consistently and proven that they have what it takes to win.”
Even without veteran starter Jordan Travis, out for the season because of a leg injury. Even without backup Tate Rodemaker, out for Saturday’s game because of a concussion.
Without them, Glenn got the start and looked like a true freshman who enrolled in school in January, going 8-of-21 for 55 yards — the second fewest in a conference championship win over the past 20 seasons. And yet, Florida State overcame injuries to its top two quarterbacks to win its first ACC title since 2014 — a triumphant moment for coach Mike Norvell, who took over the program at rock bottom in 2020 and built it all the way back up.
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The fact that Florida State won this title without Travis — its team leader instrumental in the program turnaround — is a testament to the work the entire team has put in to get the program to this moment. As the final moments ticked away, the crowd chanted, “F-S-U!”
“We just beat a top-15 team with a true freshman quarterback,” Norvell said. “Like that doesn’t matter. I don’t care perspective, what people think. We win. I believe in this team. I believe in what they can do. I believe in who they are.”
So I don’t really care about what everybody else’s opinions are. I know who I coach, and they’re going to go fight for everything they get because they’ve been doing it the last four years, and whatever the next opportunity is, I promise you they’re going to show up.” Will that be enough for the playoff committee, though?
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said he believes it should be.
“Finishing the regular season undefeated and now winning the ACC football championship game is a historic feat,” he told ESPN. “There is no doubt that Florida State is among the best four teams in the country and has earned a place in the College Football Playoff. […] “We can stack our defense up against any offense in the nation,” FSU AD Michael Alford told ESPN. “And, given a month to prepare, our offense will be ready. This is why we play the game. Otherwise, let’s just sit around and see who the oddsmakers pick and do away with the committee. Because if they leave out FSU, they will significantly damage the legitimacy of the CFP.”
Florida State defensive end Jared Verse put it this way: “The committee’s going to do what needs to be done. We’re a Power 5 champion. We just showed we have a defense that can play lights out with anybody in the country.”
Behind Verse, Fiske and others, the defense showed its full potential Saturday night, and yet there is concern it might not be enough for the selection committee. Florida State might not have Travis, but it has a team that has made the commitment to itself to finish for him. Will the committee let it do that?