FSU was not picked for the sole reason that the key player at the most important position on the field was not going to play. Because of this, at the time of the selection, FSU was not one of the top 4 teams in the country.
The NCAA basketball selection committee does this all the time, downgrading teams that have lost a key player late in the season. Nobody squawks because the team usually gets in if they have the "resume." But the approach and the decision by both selection groups is based on the same premise and logic.
If folks want to wring their hands ("oh the humanity" type crap) about what might have happened (or might in the future). be my guest.