Florida State Seminoles
ACC
Florida State started the season in the top spot in most polls. They went on to beat all 13 teams on their schedule. Yet, somehow it was a question of whether or not this team deserved to be ranked among the four most deserving teams in the country to reach the playoffs. But as far as the Seminoles are concerned, they kept doing what they needed to do.
2014 Record: 13-0, 9-0
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
Coach Bowl Record: 4-0
Big Wins: 9/20 Clemson (23-17), 10/18 Notre Dame (31-27)
Bad Losses: None
Strengths:
Jameis Winston did not add to his Heisman Trophy collection, but he anchored the ACC’s most potent passing offense. In the 12 regular season games, Winston threw for 3,250 yards and 21 touchdowns. Rashad Greene has helped make Winston look good and is a superb receiver. Tight end Nick O’Leary is a big target in the red zone and more than capable of helping out anywhere else on the field too. The ground game is not nearly as potent as Winston and company in the air, but Dalvin Cook and Karlos Williams have both had solid years. The team as a whole ranks 13th in the ACC in rush offense, but Cook and Williams are both capable backs. The best thing they both do is punch the ball into the end zone. While many pass first teams can have trouble in short yardage situations, that is not the case with Florida State.
Weaknesses:
Florida State has a solid bend but don’t break defense, but they can give up a lot of yards. They rank 46th in total defense, yet allow just 22 points per game, ranking 27th. The biggest issue is certainly not giving up points, it is turnovers. Interceptions are a huge problem and Florida State rarely won a turnover battle against decent competition this season. That is why the Seminoles were involved in so many close games. Eventually that will catch up to Florida State, especially now when the competition will be tougher than it has been all year.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Dalvin Cook, RB, 905 yards
Passing: Jameis Winston, QB, 3,559 yards
Receiving: Rashad Greene, WR, 1,306 yards
Tackles: Reggie Northrup, LB, 113
Sacks: Eddie Goldman, DT, 4.0
Interceptions: 5 tied with 2
2014 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 131.2 (101st in nation, 13th in conference)
Passing Offense: 299.1 (13, 1)
Total Offense: 430.3 (46, 4)
Scoring Offense: 34.6 (29, 2)
Rushing Defense: 145.8 (42, 8)
Pass Defense: 225.3 (62, 12)
Total Defense: 371.1 (46, 10)
Scoring Defense: 22.0 (27, 6)
Turnover Margin: -0.33 (91, 12)
Sacks: 1.42 (106, 13)
Sacks Allowed: 1.75 (41, 7)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2013 BCS National Championship Auburn (34-31)
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 12/1
