BCS National Championship LIVE Radio Broadcast: Why Florida State Will Win It All Monday Night Against Auburn
ByAfter 16 years, the bowl championship series (BCS) is going out with one of its most classic David-and-Goliath matchups ever with the Auburn Tigers (2) taking on the Florida State Seminoles (1).
Auburn may not fit totally fit the bill of an underdog, but their journey to reach the title game has been wildly thrilling and highly improbable. On the other hand, Florida State has dominated opponents and posted nation-best totals for average points per game and points allowed per game.
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Jameis Winston led Florida State on a rampage through the ACC en route to a Heisman Trophy win and a BCS National Championship appearance with an unbelievable season at quarterback. Auburn fought its way through the SEC with a vicious run game that produced an astonishing 335 yards a game, best in the nation.
Auburn trailed the likes of Alabama and Ohio State in the rankings heading into the final weeks of the season. After an unlikely win over Georgia on a hail Mary touchdown pass, Auburn pulled out an Iron Bowl win over the Crimson Tide, then benefitted from Ohio State's Big Ten Championship loss to Michigan State.
That said, I am sticking with Florida State to win the crystal football. As I previously wrote, the Seminoles passing offense will put pressure on Auburn's run game to keep up. I have no doubt that the Auburn running backs will have a big game Monday night, but the Tigers defense has not proven it can stop talented passers and Winston is college football's best.
Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall is very much a part of his team's run game, but his passing numbers simply cannot stand up next to Winston's. With these two opposite types of offenses appearing to be evenly matched, the game is destined to be close in the final minutes. In that scenario, I have to take the accomplished passer over the aggressive running attack.
I believe this will be a game to remember and an offensive shootout, resulting in Florida State winning 45-38 over Auburn.