FSU Paid Memphis $1.3M for CFB Matchup Before Seminoles Lost, Dropped to 0-3

Florida State struggled throughout a 20-12 loss to Memphis on Saturday, falling to 0-3 on the season in the process.

The Seminoles paid their opponents $1.3 million guaranteed to set up the contest, per Front Office Sports.

After starting off the season ranked No. 10 in the country, Florida State became the first team in AP poll history to start within the top 10 and lose three consecutive games to unranked teams to begin the year (via CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello).

The Seminoles also became the third team since 1988 to open the season with a record of 0-3 following a top-10 ranking to begin the year.

Even though 2023 first-string quarterback Jordan Travis was selected by the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL draft, the start of Florida State's 2024 campaign has been extremely disappointing after finishing with a 13-1 record to go along with an ACC title last season.

Starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei couldn't break free from the inconsistency that has plagued his start to the season, completing just 53.3 percent of his throws for 201 yards and an interception on Saturday.

Adding even more insult to injury, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell left Memphis to join Florida State in Dec. 2019 after spending four years with the program. The $1.3 million payment was finalized six months after Norvell was hired and must be paid on or before Feb. 15, 2025 (via USA Today's Scooby Axson).

It's not the first time that a school has spent money on a loss in 2024, as Notre Dame previously agreed to pay $1.4 million to Northern Illinois before losing 16-14 on Sept. 7. Montana State was also given $360,000 to face off against New Mexico, coming back from a fourth-quarter deficit to win by the final score of 35-31 on Aug. 24.

After the Seminoles narrowly missed a College Football Playoff appearance last season, they're still searching for their first win of the year after three games played.