The Florida State Seminoles enter the College Football Playoffs with the nation’s longest winning streak at 29 games. Yet, the Seminoles were ranked No. 3 in the final CFP poll.
FSU is surely feeling disrespected and will go out and prove why they are as good as their record indicates. Here are our 10 reasons why Florida State will win the 2014 National Championship.
Photo source: Instagram (@fsufootball)
10. Nation’s Longest Winning Streak
FSU is currently on a 29-game winning streak and if they defeat Oregon on Jan. 1, they will be only one of 12 teams ever in college football to have a win streak of at least 30 games.
It wasn’t easy this season for the Seminoles to compile a 13-0 record but if they proved anything in 2014, it was that they have a resilient group of players who never quit. If the Seminoles fall behind early against Oregon, don’t expect the FSU sideline to panic. They have all the confidence in the world to dig themselves out of huge holes.
9. Skill vs. Luck
It’s abundantly clear that Florida State is not as good as they were a season ago. But when the Seminoles took the field this season, their opponents treated the game as if it were their Super Bowl. And the Seminoles won every time.
The Seminoles have glaring imperfections. But somehow they still find a way to win. Critics would argue if this is skill or luck. But if you watch this team play with their backs against the wall, luck has nothing to do with it.
8. DB Jalen Ramsey
Sophomore DB Jalen Ramsey had an excellent 2014 season on the defensive side of the ball.
Ramsey was fourth in tackles with 44, second in tackles for loss with 9.5, tied for second in sacks with three, led the team with 11 pass break-ups, had two interceptions, forced three fumbles and blocked one kick.
7. Second Half Dominance
Much has been made this season about the slow starts by the offense in games but the second half is a different story.
In 2014, FSU overcame second-half deficits against Clemson, NC State, Louisville, Notre Dame and Miami.
6. K Roberto Aguayo
Kicker Roberto Aguayo was automatic in 2014 when it came to kicking field goals.
Aguayo went 25-for-27 on field goals which equated to a 92.6 percent success rate which was No. 3 in the country. In 2013, Aguayo won the Lou Groza award as a freshman.
5. WR Rashad Greene
Wide receiver Rashad Greene had an incredible 2014 catching 93 passes for 1306 yards. Greene was No. 8 in the nation in receptions, No. 7 in receiving yardage and No. 13 in yards per game.
In the ACC Championship Game against Georgia Tech, Greene caught seven passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
4. RB Dalvin Cook
Over the past two games, running back Dalvin Cook has become a huge weapon for the FSU offense.
Against Florida, Cook rushed for 144 yards and topped that with a 177-yard performance against Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game. Cook ran for an impressive 5.84 yards per rush and scored eight touchdowns.
3. TE Nick O’Leary
When the Seminoles need a big play on offense, look for Jameis Winston to deliver the ball to tight end Nick O’Leary.
O’Leary caught 47 passes this season with six touchdowns with four of those being in the last three games. O’Leary has excellent hands, deceptive quickness and solid route-running skills. Look for him to have some big catches in the playoffs.
2. Head Coach Jimbo Fisher
Where would the Florida State program be without head coach Jimbo Fisher? When legendary coach Bobby Bowden retired, many thought it would be a long rebuilding process to bring the Seminoles back to greatness.
Fisher has led the Seminoles to 29 straight victories with his greatest strength being the ability to relate to and coach up his players. Another strength is Fisher’s ability to stand up for his players. Just ask Jameis Winston.
1. QB Jameis Winston
Despite his immature acts at times, Jameis Winston has proven to be a top quarterback in college football with a big-game resume.
Winston and the Seminoles overcame bad first half starts all season long but they can’t afford to start slowly against Oregon or any of the other teams in the College Football Playoff. And if a playoff game is close in the second half, expect Winston to make the biggest plays when it counts the most.