I don't really know what to say about FSU playing their JV squad. There was a fear that they would be getting blown out in a playoff game which seemed to be the logic of why they were on the outside looking in. Do they get a pass because their players opted out against Georgia here? Also, doesn't the Orange bowl pay these schools a **** ton of money to play in their game? Shouldn't they get a refund from FSU for not showing up to play? 63-3 is pathetic.
I'm not sure it's as simple as they just get a pass, and I say that as an FSU fan. They got their asses handed to them and that will forever be the record of this year's orange bowl, it is what it is. But for anyone who thinks it's interesting at all to look a little deeper there is a bit more context to it.
They had some dudes opt-out simply by virtue of entering the transfer portal. That in and of itself is just a growing norm in the game. They've also had dudes in the meantime look to commit to join the squad through the portal for next season at the same time. It's just the new age of college football 'free agency'.
They had quite a few dudes opt-out looking forward to the draft who almost certainly would've played had they been in the playoff. This is also a new normal in college football. If you've got 1st/2nd round picks on your squad and you're playing the Dollar Tree bowl don't expect them dudes to be there with their millions on the line.. and I don't at all fault them for that.
And then the perfect storm came with the CFP snub, which caused some guys to decide for one reason or another to move on and raised the total number to something pretty unreal.
With Jordan Travis, Trey Benson, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Jaheim Bell, Jared Verse, Fabian Lovett, Akeem Dent, DJ Lundy, etc available and ready to go I'm certain this game takes on a different look than the sad ass 63-3 we got. They'd still likely be the underdogs by a bit, but I believe it's certainly a worthwhile game.
And ultimately I'm not saying it's an overall pass they get, but in the evolving world of top level college football it just kinda is what the times say it is. It both sucks and is something for programs to watch and take note of.