Is Jameis Winston the Answer for FSU?

With the graduation of former FSU standout EJ Manuel, the Seminoles have a huge void to fill at quarterback. Among the signal callers vying for the starting job is redshirt freshmen, and former Alabama high school phenom Jameis Winston. Winston who in 2012 was the #1 rated quarterback prospect by Rivals.com and a project top pick in the 2012 major league baseball amateur draft.  As a dual threat all everything quarterback in high school,  he committed to FSU over many of the other top programs in the country,  home state schools Alabama and Auburn included. 

During his high school career, he passed for close to 7,000 passing yards, and 2,913 rushing yards and scored 103 total touchdowns. Last season, Winston was redshirted so he didn't he any playing time at all, but he did play on the FSU baseball team this past spring, which he was able to finally show many Florida State fans just how strong his arm can be. Various reports of the FSU spring camp have given WInston rave reviews, highlighting his accuracy and arm strength.  Despite all the Winston hype, he isn't necessarily guaranteed to be under center come August. Jacob Coker and Sean Macguire, who both looked impressive throughout spring camp along with Winston. Between Coker, Macguire and Winston, head coach Jimbo Fisher really has an embarrassment of riches at the quarterback position.

In my opinion, I really do want Winston to win the job. I have been hearing about his potential to be a Robert Griffin III clone for close to 2 years now, I would love to see what he is all about in regular season action and as soon as possible. If Winston does win the job and with other dual threat QBs like Braxton Miller and Johnny Manziel, this season could be even more unpredictable and exciting than ever before. 

- Josh Gamez

@itsjoshgamez

josh.projectcfb@gmail.com

A Short History of the BCS Championship

Not many things can stir up as much anger and debate among college football fans as these three letters: BCS. Bowl Championship Series. The governing body that looks over major college football and through a complicated process of polls, rankings (both human and computer) and what amounts to basically rocket science to most fans, they are able to crown a “national champion” even if it’s just in the BCS voters’ eyes.
               
Since the Bowl Championship Series took over for the equally controversial and flawed Bowl Alliance in 1998, they have been the governing body in crowning a national champion, and putting together all other bowl games. They have used the coaches and Harris polls as well as different computer polls to crown a national champion. Starting in 2006 however, they used the poll system in place to narrow down all the teams in Division I football from over 200 all the way down to 2 to play in what is known as the BCS National Championship game. Before the 2006 season, there wasn't a real “national championship” game. It was looked at among many some as a fictitious national championship at the time, but before the BCS National Championship Game tradition that began in 2006, the national championship was crowned by who won one of the 4 BCS bowls; Orange, Sugar, Rose and Fiesta, rotated annually.
               
In the Fiesta Bowl following the 1998 season, which is recognized as the first BCS national championship, #1 ranked SEC champion Tennessee were victorious over the 2nd ranked ACC champion Florida State Seminoles by a final score of 23-16. However, the Seminoles were victorious in the 1999 Sugar Bowl over the Big East winners Virginia Tech Hokies by a lopsided score of 46-29. The Seminoles would then make a 3rd straight appearance in the title game in 2000 as they faced the Big 12 Champion Oklahoma Sooners in the 2001 Orange Bowl. However, they would not be repeat champion as the Sooners prevailed over the Seminoles 13-2. This ended up being the last national championship appearance by legendary coach Bobby Bowden in a national championship game, he retired in 2009.
               
In the 2001 Rose Bowl, the top ranked Big East Champion Miami Hurricanes prevailed over the Big 12 co-champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in a dominating 37-14 performance. The U would then compete in the Fiesta Bowl the next year that was slated to be that seasons national championship against the Jim Tressel led, Big 10 co-champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Much like the hated Seminoles, the Hurricanes were not successful in the repeat attempt. They would fall to the Buckeyes 31-24 behind a phenomenal performance by Buckeyes quarterback Craig Krenzel. The next season, a familiar face in the national championship, the Oklahoma Sooners came in to the 2003 Sugar Bowl as the top ranked team in the country to face off the SEC champion LSU Tigers and head coach Nick Saban. Which was one the first major BCS controversies. In 2003 there were 3 one loss teams at the end of the season. The USC Trojans were also among those 3 teams with the best record in the nation. But LSU/Oklahoma was selected as the championship game. Many USC supporters actually protested the LSU/Oklahoma game. USC was victorious in the Rose Bowl that year 28-14 over the Michigan Wolverines. USC ended the year as #1 in the AP poll, but the Tigers were #1 in the coaches’ poll.
               

Reggie Bush was a big part of USC's success in 2004.

The very next season, technically doesn't exist anymore because of the sanctions against the University of Southern California because of the Reggie Bush scandal of a few years ago, when the #1 ranked Pac 10 champion Trojans faced the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2004 Orange Bowl. The 2004 national championship is still looked at as one of the most star studded of all time with 2003 Heisman trophy winning signal called Jason White dueling with the Trojans own signal caller Matt Leinart, who won the trophy the very next year. It also included two of the best college running backs of the last decade, the aforementioned Reggie Bush of USC, and the Sooners’ Adrian Peterson (who many feel may have been the best player in the country that season, but that’s a different discussion for a different day). This game also happened to feature 4 of the 5 finalists in the 2004 Heisman Trophy voting, the only excluded party being Utah’s signal called Alex Smith. Unfortunately, this offensive star power didn't equal a compelling game. With Jason White throwing 3 interceptions (the Sooners had 5 total turnovers) and Peterson rushing for a pedestrian 82 yards on 25 carries (for a very un-Peterson like 3.28 yards per carry), the Sooners just couldn't keep up with the high powered Trojan offense, behind the 5 touchdown passes from the Trojans’ Heisman Trophy winning quarterback (3 of which to wide receiver Steve Smith) and 525 yards of total offense, Pete Carroll’s Trojans cruised to a 55-19 victory and national championship.
               
The Trojans would be back in the championship again the very next season, with 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart and the 2005 Heisman winner, running back Reggie Bush leading the charge for the Pac 10 champs. They faced off against the Texas Longhorns and quarterback Vince Young in the 2005 Rose Bowl for the national championship. Unlike past years, there was not any doubt who the two best teams in the country were. The Longhorns and Trojans would then clash in what is still considered by many one of the greatest college football games of all time. The Trojans came in riding a 34 game winning streak, dating back to 2003, and USC’s Reggie Bush was named Heisman Trophy winner over the Longhorns’ Young (that trophy has since been vacated due to NCAA violations). The two teams were on a collision course since they were 1 and 2 in the polls all season. The hype for this game was insane, and boy did it deliver. The game was a battle all the way through. When USC scored, the Horns would answer back. Behind Vince Young’s 467 yards of total offense (267 passing, 200 rushing), and the 10 yard TD run on 4th and 5 to win the game is looked at as one of the greatest plays in college football history, the Longhorns would be crowned champions by a final score of 41-38 in a game that is still talked about today, and from a personal standpoint, that game took me from casual viewer of college football to a full-fledged fanatic. This was the final game in the previous rotating national championship format. The very next season, a separate BCS National Championship Game would be played after the 4 other BCS bowl games.
               
The first official BCS National Championship Game took place after the 2006 season. It featured the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and a new face on the BCS stage; the Florida Gators. After winning the SEC championship game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Gators leapfrogged USC and Michigan in the BCS rankings, stamping their ticket to University of Phoenix Stadium to face the Buckeyes. Which was another BCS controversy. Many people wanted a rematch between the unbeaten Buckeyes, and rival Michigan Wolverines who had an all-time great game a few weeks prior. But, because of the Wolverines idleness while the Gators won the SEC championship game, which is what put the Gators over the top in many people’s eyes, the Buckeyes and Gators faced off for the national championship in Glendale, Arizona, for the first time in each schools’ history. The 12-1 Gators were led by quarterback Chris Leak, and the Buckeyes came in with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith. The Gators defense was stingy as stingy can be, they held the Heisman Trophy winner to 4 completions for 35 yards and an interception, and only 82 yards of total offense from the Buckeyes offensively (they did however give up a phenomenal return touchdown to Ted Ginn Jr. in the opening seconds of the game), the Gators cruised to a 41-14 win, and began a dominating stretch of National Championship Game victories by SEC teams.
               
The Buckeyes would return to the championship game the next season, only this time matched up with Les Miles’ LSU Tigers. This was the 2nd bowl game match up between Tressell and Miles. The first taking place in the 2004 Alamo Bowl. Behind 4 touchdown passes from Tigers quarterback Matt Flynn, the Buckeyes would fall for the second straight year in the national championship. The next year, the Florida Gators, this time lead by 2007 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, and one of the most polarizing figures in American sports history, Tim Tebow. While the Sooners and 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford and the highest scoring offense in NCAA history. The second time that the last two Heisman quarterbacks faced off in the BCS championship. Given the potency of both offenses (Florida averaged over 45 points per game that season, and Oklahoma 54) it was a relatively low scoring game, the Gators would prevail 24-14, for their second championship in 3 years.
               

Nick Saban's Crimson Tide has been dominant in title games.

The last 4 years, the BCS National Champion has come from the state of Alabama. Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, with one of the most dominant run games in recent memory lead by future first round NFL draft picks; Mark Ingram (that seasons Heisman winner) and Trent Richardson leading the charge offensively, prevailed over the Texas Longhorns 37-21. The next season, behind the dynamic Cam Newton, the Tide’s in state rival the Auburn Tigers won the SEC (and one of the most impressive Iron Bowl comebacks of all time) and defeated the Oregon Ducks in the championship game, behind 254 rushing yards, the Tigers were victorious 22-19 on a last second field goal.
               
The next season might have been the most controversial yet. With only one undefeated team, Les Miles and the LSU Tigers the big debate arose again; rematch or new opponent. The Alabama Crimson Tide, sporting an 11-1 record, and the only loss being a 9-6 overtime loss to the top ranked Tigers and the also one loss Oklahoma State Cowboys were looked at as the two potential opponents for the Tigers in New Orleans for the BCS National Championship Game. Alabama was announced as the #2 team, which created much debate among fans that not only was the championship game a rematch, but also a rematch between teams in the same division of the SEC. Alabama would go on to shut out the Tigers 21-0 for their second championship in 3 years. The Tide would win again this past season in convincing fashion once again 42-14 over unbeaten Notre Dame.
               
The BCS system is far from perfect, but it’s not the worst possible way to crown a championship. However, the popular idea of a playoff will in fact come into play in 2014 with a brand new 4 team playoff to crown a champion. Only time will tell if that is the end all be all of crowning a champion, but one thing is for sure, regardless, we will more than likely still watch and be enthralled in everything national championship. After all, that’s we all love college football right?

- Josh Gamez

@itsjoshgamez

Project Rivalry: Florida vs Florida State

The Florida/Florida State rivalry goes back to the early 1900's, when due to different legislatures and Acts, the Florida State College got turned into many different forms of colleges, from an all-women school, thus ending football, back to an all-male school.

It wasn't until 1947 that the Florida Legislature reorganized the state's university system again, and we finally wound up having the Florida Gators, and the Florida State Seminoles. The Gators and Seminoles played their first game in 1958 where the Gators defeated their in-state rival 21-7.

Florida dominated the rivalry up until 1977, which was a year after the Seminoles hired a man who would become a legendary coach at Florida State, Bobby Bowden. The Gators also changed leadership, hiring Charley Pell as their head coach. Under Pell's leadership, Florida took their turn dominating the rivalry from 1981 to 1986. Unfortunately under Pell's run as head coach, the NCAA uncovered multiple violations and Pell ended up being fired by the Gators.

In 1986 the Gators extended their win streak over the Seminoles with a 17-13 win in Tallahassee. However, Florida State won four straight against their rivals, and became a fixture of the NCAA's Top Ten rankings. Florida floundered under heavy NCAA sanctions.

In the 1990 season, Steve Spurrier, who was a former Heisman Trophy winner for the Florida Gators, returned to his alma mater, but this time he became their head coach. Between the years of 1990-2001 the Gators and Seminoles went back and forth, not only defeating one another, but also winning National Championships, or ruining the other's chance at a National Championship birth.

Spurrier left the Gators after the 2001 season and Ron Zook took his place. In 2005 Zook left, and Urban Meyer took over as head coach. Although the rivalry didn't hit the magnitude it did with the Bowden/Spurrier era, the teams shared much hatred toward the other. 2009 marked the last season that Bobby Bowden would coach the Florida State Seminoles, and his protege Jimbo Fisher took his place. 2010 marked the last year Urban Meyer would coach the Gators as well. Unfortunately for Meyer, the 2010 UF/FSU game marked his only loss in 11 games against the Seminoles.

This rivalry has seen many heated games, many close games, and many controversial games. It has given us the "Choke at Doak", which saw the Seminoles score 28 points in the last 15 minutes of the game to end the game in a tie. It has also given us the rematch that very same season when the Seminoles defeated the Gators 23-17 in the Sugar Bowl.

This rivalry has also given us many great coaches, players and plays. And the rivalry is far from over. Bobby Bowden and Urban Meyer may have moved on, Bobby to retirement and Urban to the Ohio State Buckeyes, but this rivalry is just as heated as it was when these two teams were playing to spoil each other's National Championship hopes. Florida may lead the feud with an overall record of 34-21-2, but the Seminoles are hell bent on taking the feud over. Whether they play in The Swamp, or at Doak Campbell Stadium, these teams come to play each time they lock horns, and they will continue to do exactly that!

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

ACC Championship: #12 Florida State vs Georgia Tech Preview

Saturday night at 8:00 PM ET, the #13 ranked Florida State Seminoles will take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the ACC Championship game. The Seminoles have an overall record of 10-2, only losing to NC State earlier in the year, and losing last week to the Florida Gators. The Yellow Jackets however are sitting at .500 with a record of 6-6.

The Yellow Jackets are led by a very impressive quarterback by the name of Tevin Washington. Washington is 68/114. He has thrown for over 1,000 yards and tossed seven touchdowns with three interceptions. He also has 18 rushing touchdowns.

Tevin Washington and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
are ready to be crowned ACC Champions.

Georgia Tech is ranked 3rd in the country for rushing yards per game. They're averaging about 320 yards per game. Tevin Washington has picked up a lot of those yards, but so has their current starting running back Zach Laskey. Laskey has over 600 rushing yards, but only has one rushing touchdown. The reason for the lone rushing touchdown...Orwin Smith, who is another one of GT's running backs is currently injured. Smith was the starting running back for Georgia Tech, but was injured, and is doubtful for the ACC Championship.

Georgia Tech also has a few options at wide receiver, obviously trying to make Tevin Washington's day a little easier. One is named Jeff Greene. Greene has 18 receptions for 284 yards and two touchdowns. The other is Robert Godhigh, who has reeled in 15 catches for 227 yards and four touchdowns.

The Yellow Jackets are also ranked 23rd in the nation for points scored with an average of 36.2. Their defense however, is ranked 86, allowing about 30 points per game. Their defense is going to have to have a pretty solid game to shut down EJ Manuel and the Seminoles.

The Seminoles are ranked eighth nationally for points scored, averaging 41.5 points per game. They're also ranked seventh in the nation for points allowed, holding their opponents to an average of 15.1 points! That's impressive, on both sides of the ball!

EJ Manuel looks to lead the Seminoles right past Georgia
Tech, and to the ACC Championship this Saturday.

FSU is led by EJ Manuel. We've talked about him before. He has thrown for 2,967 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only nine picks. He has also punched the ball into the endzone three times. He is an incredible player that has all FSU faithful behind him.

FSU is also equip with two rather impressive running backs. Since their starter Chris Thompson is injured, Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr have taken the ball and ran with it (no pun intended). Freeman has carried the ball 84 times for 571 yards, while Wilder Jr has rushed it 89 times for 514 yards. They've also combined for 16 rushing touchdowns. A pretty solid ground game if I've seen one.

Manuel also has two weapons at wide receiver by the names of Rashad Greene and Kelvin Benjamin. Greene has 614 yards receiving and five touchdowns while Benjamin has 479 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Bottom line is, Georgia Tech has to find a way to not only shut down the explosive offense of Florida State, but they have to be able to scored on this very tough defense. FSU has shut down most of their opponents this season. With Georgia Tech's high ranking in rushing yards, they do stand a chance, but they're going to have to be able to score fast and often. As long as they're able to shut down that Seminoles offense, and more specific EJ Manuel, they very well could win this game, and with it, the ACC Championship.

This game is being aired on ESPN at 8:00 PM ET Saturday night. You won't want to miss it.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

#4 Florida Gators at #10 Florida State Seminoles Preview

Saturday afternoon at 3:30, the #4 Florida Gators will travel to Tallahassee to take on the #10 Florida State Seminoles in their annual rivalry game. These teams have met 56 times, and Florida leads all-time with a record of 33-21-2.

The biggest strength the Gators have is their defense, only allowing an average of 11.7 points per game (making them ranked third in the nation in points allowed). Their offense hasn't been real hot, averaging  25.8 points a game, making them ranked 80 in the nation for points scored.

Mike Gillislee most likely will break 1,000 yards rushing
this season in Saturday's game against FSU.

Sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel will look to lead the Gators past the Seminoles on Saturday, but with a lot of help from senior running back Mike Gillislee and his favorite target, junior tight end Jordan Reed.

Driskel is 125/193 for 1,324 yards, 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions. His tight end Jordan Reed has reeled in 40 catches, for nearly 500 yards and three receiving touchdowns. And as far as the running game goes, Mike Gillislee has carried the ball over 200 times for 964 yards and punched it into the endzone eight times this season. He will be looking to break the 1,000 yard marker against Florida State this Saturday, but FSU's defense isn't a push over.

Florida State's defense is ranked fifth in the nation for points allowed, only giving up an average of 13.1 per game. And as far as their points scored ranking goes, they're ranked seventh, scoring an average of 42.9 points.

Many of the matchups here are very good. It's lining up to be quite a game. And with it being a rivalry game, you really don't know what's going to happen. Rivalry games in college football are the best.

EJ Manuel looks to lead FSU to it's 22nd victory over Florida.

FSU is led by Heisman hopeful senior quarterback EJ Manuel. Manuel is 203/295. He has thrown for 2,785 yards. Manuel has tossed 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Very good stats.

He has two very capable wide receivers, sophomore Rashad Greene, who has 38 catches for 549 yards and five touchdowns, and freshman receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who has reeled in 28 catches for 479 yards and four touchdowns.

These teams' defenses seem to be quite similar, not allowing many points. And if you look at both teams only loss of the season, Florida lost to Georgia by eight, and Florida State lost to NC State by only one point.

The biggest differences are their offenses. Florida State is ranked higher than Florida in passing yards and rushing yards per game, as well as points scored per game. Also with the game being in Doak Campbell Stadium, I think most experts will lean toward FSU to pull this one out. But with rivalry games, you always have to expect the unexpected. Both teams will look to pull out trick plays, hurry up offenses, and all kinds of tricks.

The game will be broadcast on ABC at 3:30 PM ET. I encourage everyone to tune in for this rivalry game!

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

#10 Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies Preview

Virginia Tech started their season out 2-0. The season looked promising. However, their current record is 4-5. The Hokies need two more wins to at least become bowl eligible, and this Saturday, they take on the #10 ranked Florida State Seminoles.

EJ Manuel looks to lead FSU to a 9-1 record

The Seminoles are led by their senior quarterback EJ Manuel. Manuel has had an impressive season thus far, going 161/230 for 2,315 yards and throwing 16 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. He has also rushed for over 200 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. Not a great rushing showing, but he's gotten it done through the air, why risk injury scrambling?

Manuel has two very capable options at wide receiver in Kelvin Benjamin and Rodney Smith. Both with over 20 receptions for over 400 yards this season. Benjamin has reeled in four touchdown catches while Smith has caught three.

Logan Thomas hopes for the upset on Saturday.

As far as Virginia Tech goes, they are led by Logan Thomas. Logan had a lot of hype at the beginning of the season. His numbers aren't terrible this year, but he lacks control needed to be an elite quarterback. He has thrown 152 passes for 2,109 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 picks. His wide receivers Marcus Davis and Corey Fuller have both reeled in over 500 yards and four touchdowns a piece.

The teams obviously aren't all about their quarterbacks, or their passing game. Florida State is currently ranked 14th in rushing yards while Virginia Tech is ranked 60th. The Hokies lack greatly in the rushing game compared to the Seminoles, with Seminoles running back Chris Thompson almost doubling JC Coleman's rushing total for the season (687 yards to 361).

Defense is another thing that the Seminoles are leading Virginia Tech in. In the category of points for and points against, Florida State is ranked third in each. Virginia Tech is 70th and 52nd. Things aren't looking good for the Hokies.

For Virginia Tech to win this game, which will be played in Lane Stadium, Logan Thomas, his receivers, and JC Coleman are all going to have to step up big time, along with the defense. Florida State is favored in this game, and I can see exactly why. Florida State has the better team, hands down. But upsets can always happen. And with Virginia Tech having home field advantage, you never know what's going to happen.

Florida State is coming into this game 8-1 in the season. Odds are, they'll leave Lane Stadium 9-1, but never say never. Stranger things have happened in the sport of college football. That's why it's the best sport in the world!

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle