What Sets Oregon Apart From FSU?

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Seminoles have been dubbed the underdogs for today’s match-up with Oregon in the 101st Rose Bowl. So what has happened this season to cause the undefeated, defending national champions to come into the inaugural College Football Playoff with anything less than assurance of a second consecutive title? Chantel Jennings of ESPN.com stated 10 reasons why Oregon will be successful …

For Both FSU and Oregon, the Rose Bowl Brings Something New

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Excluding one minor slip up, the loss to Arizona at home, the Ducks have dominated their competition. Their average margin of victory this season, not including the loss, is just over 26 points per game. On the flip side, an undefeated FSU team struggled against many ACC foes on their way to an 11.7 average winning margin. More importantly, when FSU …

Will Oregon’s Defensive Secondary Seize the Moment?

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With news of consensus All-American Ifo Ekpre-Olomu’s season-ending knee injury splashed all over college football pages and blogs from Tallahassee to Eugene, attention has been largely focused on the dire implications for a depleted Ducks’ secondary now forced to go up against last year’s Heisman winner, Jameis Winston, and a dynamic receiving corps led by Rashad Greene, a 6-foot senior …

Young Ducks With A Chance To Fly

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The loss of All-Amercan cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu on Tuesday was a blow to the morale of a Ducks team that was beginning to get healthy after an injury-riddled season. While losing this top defender and emotional leader of the secondary, as Tyson Alger of The Oregonian called him, the Ducks have the chance to put their young players to a …

Why Turnovers Will Make the Difference Against FSU

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu gave his praise to Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston this week, telling reporters, “There’s a lot of Pac-12 quarterbacks that are really smart, but the difference between [Winston] and them is he’s able to throw it into those small windows.” Ekpre-Olomu’s respect is well placed as he has witnessed the threat Winston poses to opposing defenses. …

It’s Up to the Ducks

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Florida State Seminoles have not lost a game since November 24, 2012 against the Florida Gators. That final loss came before the arrival of two-sport star quarterback Jameis Winston. Despite his off-the-field problems leading to inconsistency on the field and a one-game suspension earlier this year, Winston has produced big numbers (3,559 yards passing, 24 touchdowns) and led the …