Florida State Seminoles
ACC
Florida State has absolutely dominated everybody they have played this season. Even those tough games like a road trip to Clemson and a home game against a top ten ranked Miami were not even close. The Seminoles beat Clemson 51-14 and handled the Hurricanes 41-14. The closest game of the year was a 48-34 win over Boston College back in September.
2013 Record: 13-0, 7-0
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
Coach Bowl Record: 3-0
Big Wins: 10/19 at Clemson (51-14), 11/2 Miami (41-14)
Bad Losses: None
Strengths:
The magical 2013 campaign is full of strengths. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 3,820 yards and 38 touchdowns in a Heisman worthy campaign. The elusive quarterback only threw ten interceptions and rushed for four more touchdowns. Wide receivers Rashad Greene, Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin, along with tight end Nick O’Leary, have made Winston’s job look easy. Devonta Freeman is the top rusher on the team, tallying 943 yards and 13 touchdowns on 162 carries. However, Carlos Williams and James Wilder are a couple talented backs as well and have had some superb showings. Williams rushed for ten touchdowns and Wilder added eight more. Those two are bruising backs who rarely have trouble punching the ball in the end zone.
Weaknesses:
The Seminoles pass defense has been amazing. They allowed just 153 yards per game through the air. The defense has also picked off 25 passes and recovered nine fumbles. Lamarcus Joyner is a big hitting safety who forced a handful of those fumbles. Nate Andrews led the team with four interceptions, but just about everybody on the defense picked off at least one pass. But the defense has never been seriously tested. They certainly played extremely well against Clemson and Miami, but the unit has never seen a fourth quarter. The story is the same on offense. Despite all of the accolades, Winston is still a freshman. What happens when, or more accurately if, this team actually plays a close game? Can the defense stay strong for four quarters? Can Winston make clutch plays down the stretch?
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Devonta Freeman, RB, 943 yards
Passing: Jameis Winston, QB, 3,820 yards
Receiving: Rashqd Greene, WR, 981 yards
Tackles: Telvin Smith, LB, 75
Sacks: Lamarcus Joyner, S, 5.0
Interceptions: Nate Andrews, DB, 4
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 204.8 (30th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 321.3 (14, 2)
Total Offense: 526.1 (7, 1)
Scoring Offense: 53.7 (2, 1)
Rushing Defense: 118.0 (13, 3)
Pass Defense: 153.0 (1, 1)
Total Defense: 271.0 (4, 2)
Scoring Defense: 11.0 (1, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.4 (3, 1)
Sacks: 2.58 (30, 7)
Sacks Allowed: 2.33 (85, 10)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Orange Bowl Northern Illinois (31-10)
2011 Champs Sports Bowl Notre Dame (18-14)
2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl South Carolina (26-17)
2009 Gator Bowl West Virginia (33-21)
2008 Champs Sports Bowl Wisconsin (42-13)
2007 Music City Bowl Kentucky (28-35)
*all team stats through 11/30
