The ghost of Florida State’s 2023 playoff snub still lingers in the minds of college football fans. Despite a 13-0 for the third time in program history, they were cut off from the CFP due to their quarterback’s injury. And now, with Duke’s handling of Cooper Flagg’s injury situation, the frustration has reignited. The Selection Committee’s handling of injuries remains a sore spot, and fans are making their voices heard.

The bombshell dropped when NCAA Senior VP of men’s basketball Dan Gavitt made a statement. “What we understand from communication with Duke and the ACC, Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA Tournament. So don’t expect that to impact their seeding,” he said. This revelation sent shockwaves across the college football world, which hasn’t forgotten how Mike Norvell‘s FSU was treated under eerily similar circumstances.

Sharing a post of Dan Gavitt’s statement, RedditCFB posted an interesting take on X on March 16 — “Duke, currently playing in the ACC Championship against Louisville without their best player, has informed the selection committee that he’ll be healthy next week, and so the NCAA says their seed won’t be docked. Could FSU have simply lied and claimed [Jordan] Travis would be healthy?” Could it have been possible?

Duke is entering the ACC Championship Game against Louisville without Cooper Flagg, who averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. The freshman star sustained an ankle injury against Georgia Tech in the ACC tournament. This forced him to miss their semifinal showdown against North Carolina. But even in his absence, the Blue Devils pulled off a critical rivalry win, boosting their case for the No. 1 seed in March Madness. 

Duke boasts a 30-3 record and a dominant 19-1 ACC campaign and is poised for a top seed. While Cooper Flagg remains on the sidelines in the conference championship game, his return for the NCAA Tournament is expected. But for FSU fans, the debate isn’t about basketball, it’s about fairness. If Duke’s seeding remained untouched despite Flagg’s injury, why were the Seminoles held to a different standard? 

FSU fans see a familiar frustration

The anger isn’t just about Duke’s situation. It’s about consistency. One person dropped their take saying, “If the NCAA picked the football teams it may have been possible.” If the Selection Committee applies one standard in basketball, why not FSU in 2023? 

For the first time in CFB history, an undefeated, Power 5 conference was left out of the playoff. Why? Because their star QB Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury. “Hear me out. Duke limps without Flagg tonight and they get the FSU Jordan Travis treatment for the #2a seed,” another fan wrote. For Florida State, the comparison is painful. 

Jordan Travis got injured in a regular season game against North Alabama. The CFP Committee, led by chairman Boo Corrigan determined that losing their QB changed the Seminoles’ “offense in its entirety.” This prompted another fan to comment, “Football teams need to take notes moving forward. Just like FSU lol if your QB isn’t available lie and say he will be.” But with Duke, it’s apparently a different story. 

While Duke made a case for itself regarding Flagg’s health, fans weren’t convinced. “Sure, but everyone who saw the injury would have known it was a lie,” a user wrote. Flagg’s ankle bent in an awkward position that sent him down in obvious pain. 

But all in all, it’s a brutal reminder that perception plays a major role in Selection Committee decisions. “I would tell Duke that if you really think you’re the best team, then the seed shouldn’t matter,” another person posted. The NCAA’s selection process still leaves plenty of room for controversy. 

Florida State fans won’t be letting this one go anytime soon.