Both Georgia and Florida State entered the Orange Bowl with something to prove last night. While the country was busy talking about how Florida State got snubbed from the College Football Playoff Field, no one was talking about how a loss in the SEC title game dropped the Bulldogs from the top spot to #5.
By the end of the game, Georgia was the one who sent the most emphatic message with a 63-3 win over the Seminoles.
Kirby Smart's squad was dealing with a few high profile injuries, including to do-everything tight end Brock Bowers, who missed the game. However, on the other sideline Mike Norvell's squad was dealing with some high profile opt-outs (like stud wide receiver Keon Coleman) after the Seminoles learned their undefeated season wasn't enough for them to play for a national title.
The Seminoles had a total of nine opt outs for the Orange Bowl game, which certainly affected the on-field product last night.
In total, between both squads counting opt outs, transfer portal guys, and injuries, 54 players were missing from rosters for the game.
Kirby Smart took the podium with concern for the future of college football on his mind, and delivered a message that has gone viral on changes that need to be on their way to get things fixed.
"People need to see what happened tonight and they need to fix this. It needs to be fixed. It's unfortunate that they - who have a good football team and a good football program - are in the position that they're in."
"College football has to decide what they want, and I know things are changing, and I think some things are going to change next year. But you know what? There are still going to be bowl games outside of those [playoff games]. People have got to decide what they want and what we really want to get out of it because it's really unfortunate for those kids on that sideline that had to play in that game that didn't have their full arsenal. And it affected the game. 100%.
A number of college coaches took to X and added their own thoughts onto Kirby's message, including Lane Kiffin who simply shared "Facts," and Jedd Fisch, who added "Agree!!! Thanks for saying what we are all thinking @KirbySmartUGA Stay and Play #NCAAFootball #BearDown."
It was impossible to watch the game last night and not think about points Kirby and so many other college coaches are shining a light on.
The big question is, how does change come about? There will be plenty of ideas ranging from incentivizing bowl games with money to opt outs not traveling with their teammates being proposed by experts far and wide.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.