Sen. Rick Scott Refuses to Back Down, Demands Transparency from CFP after FSU Playoff Snub

After Florida State University (FSU) was left out of the College Football Playoff (CFP) despite being an undefeated conference champion, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) demanded answers from the CFP Chair, Boo Corrigan for the unprecedented decision. After receiving a lackluster response from the CFP Executive Director, Bill Hancock, Sen. Scott is not backing down.

In his original letter, Sen. Scott demanded that Mr. Corrigan provide “full transparency from the Committee regarding how this decision was reached and what factors may have been at play in reaching this outcome.” This included any communication between (and among) the committee members, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Director Hancock responded on behalf of Mr. Corrigan, who listed the committee’s criteria as a rationale (which included important player injuries – referring to the injury of FSU’s quarterback, Jordan Travis) for leaving out the Seminoles. However, Hancock did not include the messages from the requested parties.

Scott responded, “I appreciate your response on Friday, December 15, to my letter dated Monday, December 4 … Unfortunately, your response failed to answer all 10 of the questions I posed in my initial letter. Although I am sure you are incredibly busy this time of year, I am once again asking that you take the time necessary to provide transparency behind your selection process. As I stated in my first letter, I believe that total transparency regarding how this decision was reached would do tremendous good for the CFP and the entire college football community.”

He also stated that his inquiry is “bigger than just college football” as it affects “Florida State University, its student athletes, the City of Tallahassee, and the State of Florida.”

The Florida senator continued, “I clearly outlined my concerns with the Selection Committee’s decision, which will deny significant financial and economic opportunities for FSU, our student athletes, the City of Tallahassee and the State of Florida, in my first letter. I am sure that you will agree that those who feel snubbed or mistreated should not be denied the opportunity to get an explanation for the decisions that created that perception. That is how many athletes at FSU feel, and we now have Americans across the country who doubt the integrity of the playoff system.”

Scott ended the letter by saying that he will “never stop fighting for Florida families, our students and our universities.”

The Florida senator is seeking a second term in the upper chamber. He will most likely face off against former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL).

The Texas Longhorns made the Playoff over the Florida State Seminoles and will play #2 Washington in the Sugar Bowl as the #3 seed on Jan. 1 at 8:45 p.m. EST.