Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles remained undefeated this year, closing out their season 13-0 after beating Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship Game last Saturday, 37-35. The game was not a runaway though, as Georgia Tech fought hard and the score was tied at multiple points throughout the game; however, Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns, completing 21/30 passes. With this victory, Florida State proved that they belong at the top again this year.

While some of the Seminoles’ games were definite successes (beating NC State 56-41; Wake Forest 43-3 and Citadel 37-12) this season, the team faced many close calls throughout, including against opponents such as Clemson (23-17 in OT), Miami (30-26) and Boston College (20-17). Despite these battles and multiple off-field controversies surrounding Winston over the past year, the Seminoles remained resilient and victorious, continually fighting in the second half of games to win late and show why they were National Champions last year.

In the inaugural season of the College Football Playoff, Florida State ranks number 3 in the final four teams, and will face off against the number 2 ranked Oregon Ducks on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl. Oregon is considered an offensive powerhouse team this season, winning their last 8 games by 42 or more points. Ducks’ quarterback Marcus Mariota is one of the finalists for the Heisman trophy this year. Winston was the Heisman winner in 2013, becoming the youngest winner in history of the prestigious football award. While Oregon is known for rerouting their opponents’ game plans by breaking out with an early lead, Florida State is known for being a closer in high-pressure, down to the wire games, so this should provide for an exciting matchup.


The winner of the Rose Bowl will face off against the winner of the Sugar Bowl (Ohio State (4) vs. Alabama (1)), in the National Championship Game in Dallas, Texas on Monday, January 12th.