When the College Football Playoff’s selection committee put Alabama in its field of four over undefeated Florida State, it caused plenty of consternation in the college football world. It also gave opportunistic politicians the chance to grandstand.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), was one of those. After Scott sent a letter to selection committee chair Boo Corrigan demanding answers on FSU’s exclusion, CFP executive director Bill Hancock sent a response Friday, which Scott promptly posted on social media.

In the letter, Hancock offered two reasons why the Seminoles were left out. He cited the committee’s selection protocol, which he encouraged Scott to read.

“The protocol requires the Committee to take into consideration the unavailability of key players that may affect a team’s performance during the post-season,” Hancock said. “Simply put, Florida State is not the same team without its star quarterback. That caused the Committee to believe that there were indeed four teams that should rank higher than FSU.”

Seminole QB Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending leg injury against North Alabama. In his absence, FSU was still able to win out, including an ACC championship game victory over Louisville.

Still, Alabama, which had been ranked No. 8 entering the week of the SEC title game, leapfrogged Florida State by beating then-No. 1 Georgia. The Seminoles and Bulldogs, who fell to sixth in the final rankings, will meet in the Orange Bowl.

“FSU’s strength of schedule was not as strong as the four teams that were ranked ahead of them,” Hancock said in his letter. “As I’m sure you are aware, strength of schedule is a key metric the Committee takes into consideration. If being undefeated without regard to a team;’s strength of schedule was part of our protocol, other universities with undefeated records would have routinely been considered.”

Hancock went on to point out that FSU was one of eight undefeated teams to not make the final field. He maintained that the right four teams were placed in the final four.

“Everyone on the Committee understands the disappointment felt by Florida State fans,” Hancock said. “We recognize that no matter what decision was made, fans somewhere would be disappointed. This year there were more than four highly impressive teams competing for four Playoff spots– yet only four could qualify.”

When Scott posted the letter to social media on Friday, he remained unhappy with the choice. He made clear in his response that he knows how to make full use of his device’s shift key.

“Still NO TRANSPARENCY,” Scott said of the letter explaining the process he had questioned. “(Florida State) was #4 before beating #14 Louisville without Jordan Travis… but then after that win, the CFP things (FSU) is a weaker team. It makes no sense. ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS.”

Alabama will face No. 1 Michigan in the CFP’s Rose Bowl semifinal on Jan. 1 in Pasadena. Washington and Texas will meet in the Sugar Bowl semifinal that same day.