SEC commish Greg Sankey takes a 'not-so-subtle shot' at FSU following 2023 CFP havoc

One of the biggest storylines from the 2023 college football season was FSU (the Florida State Seminoles) missing out on the four-team college football playoff. The Seminoles missed out despite finishing the season unbeaten and became the first such team to miss out after a perfect season.

The exclusion of coach Mike Norvell's team caused widespread discontent among fans and players and was a controversial topic for weeks on end with many feeling it was an unjust decision by the CFP committee.

During an appearance on "1010 XL," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey took a not-so-subtle dig at FSU for how the team acted after missing out on a College Football Playoff berth last season, which was highlighted by Matt Hayes on X.

"That (Georgia) was one of the four best teams, period," Sankey said. "We didn't stomp our feet, we didn't, like, fly banners over places. That was one of the four best teams. They lost one game in two years. Bad second half — second quarter, third quarter. And in the future, if they're 9-3 compared to a 10-2 or 11-1, the standard is not 10-2 or 11-1, it's the best teams."

Has Greg Sankey locked out FSU from the SEC?

FSU is currently locked in a legal tussle with the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) over its ironclad grant of rights media deal amid conference expansion and realignment.

One of the prime conferences linked to the Seminoles and the Clemson Tigers who are openly pining for a move away from the ACC is the Southeastern Conference.

During day one of the SEC media days, commissioner Greg Sankey seemed to rule out adding any further programs, sounding satisfied with a 16-team conference as it is right now.

“As I said, we’re focused on our 16,” Sankey said. “I’ve said before at media days that I’m not a recruiter. My job is to make sure we meet the standard of excellence that we have for ourselves on a daily basis. That attracts interest.

"It’s done that with the two universities that we’ve added this year. They’re not the only phone calls I’ve ever had, but I’m not involved in recruiting. We’re focused on our 16, period. You heard from 14 deep to 16 strong. 16 is our today, and 16 is our tomorrow.”

Greg Sankey's dig at FSU during day three of the SEC media days does not bode well for a potential move for the ACC powerhouse in the future when the grant of rights issue is sorted out.