Florida’s top prosecutor is making big moves, announcing an antitrust probe against the College Football Playoff selection committee. The reason? Seeking answers to why the undefeated Florida State Seminoles were left out of the four-team competition this month.
State Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement that her office is seeking communications from the 13-person committee about how it reached its decision on Dec. 3 that the playoff teams would be Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama.
Moody wrote, “In Florida, merit matters. If it’s attention they were looking for, the Committee certainly has our attention now.”
Moody’s remarks came in a video statement recorded on Florida State’s campus in Tallahassee, where she also referred to her alma mater, the University of Florida.
“What’s clear is the need for more information about the unprecedented decision made by a group of 13 in secret, that for the first time ever, left an undefeated Power Five conference champion out of the playoff,” Moody said. “This stunning decision not only disappointed millions of fans — it cost this university and the ACC millions of dollars.”
Selection committee chairman Boo Corrigan commented this month on why the Seminoles were shut out of the playoff.
This is the final season the playoff includes four teams. Next season, it expands to 12 teams.
Antonio Planas
Antonio Planas is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
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