Opt-Outs Make Florida State Massive Orange Bowl Underdog

When Florida State missed out on the College Football Playoff, there was a belief among some college football analysts that the Seminoles could prove the selection committee wrong with a convincing performance against Georgia in the Orange Bowl. But a couple weeks later, the Orange Bowl looks like a potential dud of a game. 

With neither College Football Playoff contender actually making the College Football Playoff, player opt-outs have shifted any preconceived notions for the game. The Seminoles were already going to be without star quarterback Jordan Travis, as his season-ending injury is the main reason the selection committee left undefeated Florida State out of the postseason, but the team also has nine players who played at least 300 snaps this season opting out of the bowl game.

FSU will be without its two most dynamic receivers, as well as a top running back and tight end. Backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker, who is entering the transfer portal, also will not play, leaving the Seminoles with their third-string quarterback as the starting option. 

Defensively, star defensive lineman Jared Verse headlines a talented collection of opt-outs. The defense won’t look like the one that led the ACC in scoring defense this fall.

Seminoles major underdogs

As a result of the opt-outs, the Seminoles are nearly three-touchdown underdogs to a Georgia team that won the previous two national championships. The Seminoles opened as 14-point underdogs, but the line has since grown to as much as 19.5 points at BetRivers and FanDuel. 

A few other sports betting apps, such as bet365 and Caesars Sportsbook, have Florida State as a 19-point underdog. Hard Rock Bet, the lone legal sports betting app available in Florida, lists Florida State as an 18.5-point underdog. 

The Seminoles are +700 to upset Georgia on Hard Rock Bet. Other betting apps have similar odds, including ESPN BET, which also has Florida State as a +700 underdog.

Barring a major surprise, Florida State won’t be able to point to the Orange Bowl’s result as a reason why it deserved inclusion in the College Football Playoff. The Seminoles’ roster looks like a shell of itself, and Georgia is arguably the best team in the country outside of the four College Football Playoff participants. The Bulldogs would likely even be favored over some of those teams in the playoff. 

For Florida State fans, the more intriguing storyline these days is the athletic department’s desire to leave the ACC. The university is even taking legal action against the conference in hopes of being able to bolt for the Big Ten or SEC.