Thursday, January 1st at 5:00 PM ET. Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA. ESPN
(2) Oregon Ducks (12-1, 8-1 Pac-12) @ (3) Florida State Seminoles (13-0, 8-0 ACC)
Line: Oregon -8
Ah, The Rose Bowl. The Grand Daddy of them all. This year, instead of the traditional Pac-12/B1G matchup that has been less of a tradition since the inception of the BCS, we are treated with the first of two semi-final games featuring the Pac-12 Champion, Oregon Ducks, vs the reigning National Champion and repeat ACC winner, Florida State. Oregon is playing in its 7th Rose Bowl and 27th overall while this marks the second consecutive trip to Pasadena for the Seminoles, their 44th bowl game.
The Numbers:
Oregon is led by current Heisman Trophy winner, QB Marcus Mariotta. He led the 3rd ranked scoring offense (46.3 ppg) that was 22nd in rushing, 11th passing and 3rd in total offense. They were also the second ranked FEI+ offense. Oregon’s defense was less impressive. They finished the 29th scoring defense giving up 22.5 ppg. They were the 50th, 103rd and 82nd run, pass and total defense.
Florida State is led by last year’s Heisman winner, QB Jameis Winston. Although not as impressive as last year, Winston and the ‘Noles still averaged 34.8 ppg good for 28th in scoring. Just 104th in rushing offense, they ended the season 14th in passing and 44th in total offense. FEI+ has them the 6th ranked offense. On defense they ended as the 30th ranked scoring defense, 60th against the run, 50th against the pass and 52nd in total defense.
One Random Fact:
This is the third time that two Heisman Trophy winners have squared off in a bowl game. In the previous two Matt Leinart beat previous winner Jason White and Tim Tebow defeated that year’s winner Sam Bradford.
The Vegas Edge:
Oregon was good to bettors going 9-4 ATS on the year. FSU, who faced accusations of point shaving during the season, was good to those that bet against them going just 3-10 ATS. FSU is 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 bowl games, but Oregon is on an 8 year winning streak ATS to finish their 2014 season. The total on this game has been bet up to 74 from 70.5. Oregon went 6-6-1 against total where FSU went 5-8.
The Sweatpants Verdict:
Every fiber of my being wants the Ducks to win this game, but man FSU just finds ways to win. Oregon hasn’t fared too well in big games, and I’m not sure that’s going to change. I think FSU not only has the speed to match the Ducks but the size to wear them down. Winston has a field day against the Ducks secondary and the Noles pull off the upset. FSU 38 - 37
CyClown Says:
$100 on Florida State money line +240