Just saw on The Spun that the Orange Bowl press conference set for Thursday with Smart and Norvell has been cancelled??
Lots of things you could take from this. I'm sure there's more discussion elsewhere on the site, but 2 things came to mind:
1 - This could be simply Mike Norvell's take on "malicious compliance" or "quietly quitting" the CFP system this year. Did anyone else notice how Norvell hasn't appeared on any of the ESPN talking heads shows to discuss FSU being left out? (Or at least he didn't on the day of). Normally, I would expect ESPN to have had him on immediately to ask some dumb questions about how he feels about it, etc. Silence from him, and FSU admins, except for prepared statements. Perhaps they're rightfully fed up enough with the whole system that they're not going to play the "give juicy soundbits and give ESPN and the bowls more revenue?
It will be interesting to hear what Norvell has to say at the game. If any reporter asks about the controversy, I'd welcome a cold glare along with "No comment," or specifically letting ESPN know beforehand that if it comes up, he'll simply walk away from the interview.
2 - Like everyone, it makes me wonder if FSU or uGA (or both) are considering a "vote of no confidence" scenario, by either boycotting or not playing competitively. Hell, many of their star players are already out the door, or on the way out.
uGA is always "unmotivated" after not getting a cream of the crop bowl like they expect - but for FSU, this feels different. The rest of FSU's team (who haven't gone elsewhere) has to deal with being told "all the work you did this season doesn't matter." Doesn't motivate me to play, for sure.
I would love to see both teams agree to essentially play 2-hand touch. Or punt on every first down. That would be a statement I think most of the CFB world would support.
