Florida State (13-0 overall, 8-0 ACC) did everything it was asked to do this season, but it wasn’t good enough to make the College Football Playoff.

Down to a 3rd-string quarterback, freshman Brock Glenn, the Seminoles used an amazing defensive effort to smother No. 15 Louisville 16-6 Saturday night in the ACC Championship Game from Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.

Louisville (10-3, 7-1) came into the contest averaging 417 yards per game and a shade less than 31 points. Florida State’s defense held the Cardinals to 188 yards and 6 points.

The Seminoles’ biggest defensive stand came during the 4th quarter — they were ahead 10-6, but the Cardinals had a 1st down at the Florida State 12 after punter Alex Mastromanno got blown up on all-out punt rush. On 1st down linebacker Tatum Bethune breaks up a likely touchdown catch by Louisville tight end Nate Kurisky. Two plays later Bethune intercepts Jack Plummer in the end zone.

Louisville wouldn’t cross midfield again.

Florida State won its 5th ACC title and 1st since 2014. The Seminoles have won 19 straight games dating to last year. The undefeated regular season is the Seminoles’ 4th, joining the 1999, 2013 and 2014 teams.

The Seminoles were 4th in the CFP rankings. Pac-12 champion Washington (13-0) and Big Ten champion Michigan (13-0) were playoff locks. Things got interesting after that. Alabama’s 27-24 victory over No. 1 Georgia (12-1) in the SEC final put the Crimson Tide (12-1) back in the mix and the Bulldogs, a 2-time reigning champion, on the bubble.

Big 12 champion Texas (12-1) dominated Oklahoma State 49-21 and had a head-to-head win against Alabama. Supposedly those things mattered to the selection committee, and they were put to the test.

The head of the selection committee is Boo Corrigan, the athletics director at N.C. State and another member of the ACC.

Here’s is the final stock report of the season, with some special season-end comments:

Offensive player of the game: With Glenn struggling and nothing happening for the Seminoles in the passing game, Florida State went to a wildcat look with Lawrence Toafili. The junior running back gained 73 yards on a keeper and followed it with a 2-yard touchdown run that proved the game-winner. Toafili finished with a career-high 118 yards.

Defensive player of the game: Bethune made the biggest play, but the biggest player was defensive lineman Braden Fiske. He made it a personal mission to dominant Louisville’s offensive line and that mission was accomplished. Fiske, a transfer from Western Michigan, had 3 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. A shout out goes to Jared Verse, who played up to his billing the past few weeks. Verse finished with 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.

Biggest surprise: Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is rightfully considered a strong offensive football mind, but he had nothing for the Florida State defense. Plummer was 14-of-36 for 111 yards. The red-zone play-calling was curious at best. Very few people would have predicted Seminoles defensive coordinator Adam Fuller would win a battle of schemes against Brohm. But it was a decisive victory for Fuller.

Developing trend: It might be a little unfair to say this, but neither Tate Rodemaker nor Glenn look like they could be the quarterback answer in 2024. Rodemaker’s return for the postseason will be a nice boost, but there’s nothing he has done to make anyone believe he’s the guy next year. Don’t be surprised if Norvell goes shopping in the transfer portal for a quarterback.

And now for some year-end superlatives.

Most improved: Defensive back Jarrian Jones took his game to the next level this year. The redshirt senior was part of Norvell’s 1st transfer class in 2020 and he had been in and out of the lineup for his 1st couple of seasons. Last year Jones started to turn the corner and this season the Mississippi State transfer blossomed as a strong presence in the secondary. Jones had a career high in tackles (25), tackles for loss (5), interceptions (3) and even added a defensive touchdown.

Biggest surprise: Fiske came from Western Michigan with a lot of fanfare, but it’s easy to question if a defensive lineman can jump from the Mid-American Conference into a Power 5 league and still be effective. Well Fiske answered that question with an emphatic yes. The senior from Michigan City, Indiana, was a force on the defensive line, finishing with 43 tackles, 9 TFLs and 6 sacks. His biggest games came when the Seminoles needed him the most.

Best win: The Seminoles opened the season with a dominating performance against LSU. They outscored the Tigers 31-7 in the 2nd half, holding them well below their averages in points and yards.

Worst loss: On Nov. 18, Florida State lost its captain and undisputed team leader Jordan Travis to a broken leg. It was a sad ending to a great career as the 6th-year senior had to scratch and claw his way from the bottom to lead a team this good out on the field. His presence remains strong within the locker room, but we all can wonder what could’ve been had Travis stayed healthy.

Play of the year: Wide receiver Keon Coleman made a ton of highlight-worthy plays, but it was linebacker Kalen DeLoach who saved the undefeated season against Clemson back on Sept. 23. With the Tigers ahead 24-17 early in the 4th quarter and driving, DeLoach rushed on a perfectly timed blitz and executed a strip sack on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. He picked up the loose ball and went 56 yards for the tying touchdown. The Seminoles would win 31-24 in overtime.