Rose Bowl 2015 Live Stream and Radio Broadcast: Preview of the Oregon vs Florida State CFP Semifinal
ByThe last two winners of the Heisman Trophy will go head to head in the 2015 Rose Bowl Game, as Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks (2) take on Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles (3).
Winston and the defending champion Seminoles are also unbeaten in the last two seasons, though they looked considerably more beatable in this one than they did a year ago. In the second half of their schedule, Florida State seemed to be coming from behind to win every week while Winston could not seem to get his interceptions under control.
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Oregon looked as dominant as ever with Mariota, this year's Heisman winner, throwing 38 touchdowns, running 14 more and only committing two turnovers all season. He also gained more than 4,000 total yards while completing 68 percent of his passes.
Winston regressed from his Heisman trophy win a year ago, throwing 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while also seeing his yardage and completion percentage dip. But Florida State lost several key players from their National Championship team and Winston always managed to pull of the comeback to win.
However, Florida State may not be so fortunate if they fall behind to Oregon, because Mariota has proven to make few mistakes. Beating Oregon may depend on Florida State keying in on what the Ducks are trying to do and combatting it.
"People assume because you spread the field out that you're finesse," Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly told the Seminoles' official website. "That's not true. (Oregon) runs the football as good as anybody.
"I think the thing that has made them better, not over just this year but over the last couple of years, is that they've kind of created that culture and they are more physical. It is more of a power game."
Without starting cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, the Oregon defense has a tougher task in shutting down Winston's receivers. Still, the injured defensive back was on hand at practice this week to motivate the squad and plans on being there for his teammates in person on Thursday.
"Our mindset right now is excellent - excellent," Oregon coach Mark Helfrich told the Ducks' official website. "Now, for the next 72 hours what do we do? Improve."