FSU football: QB Tate Rodemaker will not play in the Orange Bowl vs UGA

FSU football did not get any favor from the bowl selection committee after the College Football Playoff committee snubbed the team from getting an opportunity to compete for a national championship.

The consolation prize for missing out on the College Football Playoff is the “opportunity” to play the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl on Saturday, December 30th at 4:00 PM EST.

Opt-outs have been the name of the game thus far for the Florida State Seminoles as they will be without some key contributors such as Trey Benson, Rodney Hill, Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman, Bless Harris, Jared Verse, Fabien Lovett Sr., Malcolm Ray, DJ Lundy, among others due to either entering transfer portal or declaring for the NFL Draft.

On Monday afternoon, 247Sports’ National College Football Writer Matt Zenitz reported that Florida State redshirt junior quarterback Tate Rodemaker has informed the coaching staff that he plans to enter the transfer portal and will not play in the Orange Bowl.

The news has gotten even worse for the Seminole fans who will get the luxury of watching this football game. Unfortunately, with the College Football Playoff committee not including the Seminoles in the playoff, the Orange Bowl has turned into an exhibition.

It is difficult to blame Rodemaker for wanting to transfer out of the program. The Valdosta (GA) native has been in the Seminoles’ offensive system for four years and has only accumulated two collegiate starters. With the abundance of players missing in the Orange Bowl, it probably was not the best opportunity to try and put more film out there against the Bulldogs, who look to be as full-strength as possible.

Nonetheless, I know that head football coach Mike Norvell will have his group of players as ready as they can be against this tough challenge. I am excited to see how true freshman signal caller Brock Glenn handles the situation.