ESPN’s Booger McFarland Continues to Back FSU Football After National Championship
ESPN’s Booger McFarland has come to the defense of Florida State once again, this time following the conclusion of the National Championship. No. 1 undefeated Michigan came out on top against No. 2 undefeated Washington by a score of 34-13. However, some – including McFarland – were quick to point out Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy’s underwhelming stat line. He went 10/18 for 140 yards with no touchdowns.
“Nothing against JJ however he made 2-3 throws last night because they dominated the [line of scrimmage] and had great defense. Just goes to show [you] it’s not always about the best quarterback. Sometimes it’s about the best team #seminoles. Let’s remember this going forward,” said McFarland.
When FSU was left out of the College Football Playoff (CFP), the rationale for their exclusion was that the quarterback play from backup Tate Rodemaker and third-string Brock Glenn were not sufficient to compete at the highest level after Jordan Travis went down with a season-ending injury.
Rodemaker – who most likely would’ve returned for the semifinal game had the Seminoles made the CFP – went 12/25 for 134 with no touchdowns against UF in Gainesville.
Booger McFarland has been one of Florida State’s biggest cheerleaders since Selection Sunday. In early December, the Super Bowl champion said that the CFP Committee’s decision was based on projection, not based on the results prior.
“I think we have a problem, and the problem is this: we’re making judgments inside this room on what we think is going to happen on the field," McFarland said.
"I think I would've told them that this sport has always been a show me sport—you play it on the grass, between the white lines—and regardless of what we think, how many times have we been surprised by teams making a run?” McFarland questioned.
"I think we better be careful when we start playing the game inside a nice comfortable room, eating scrambled eggs and bacon with a nice warm fire, because the game is not played there," McFarland concluded. "I think I would've put my microphone down and said, 'If you can honestly say that you think you know that Florida State can't win a game or two in the playoffs, then you can sleep well at night, but I can't.'"
Florida State finished fifth in the final CFP rankings.
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