FSU has a weak schedule, Oregon's schedule is a lot harder. Plus our loss to Arizona occurred when we weren't at full strength. Yeah, it sucks that we lost and it hurt our chances of making the playoffs, but I think Oregon is a better team than FSU. Mariota is the front runner for the Heisman and when our team is fully healthy, our offense puts up big numbers and our defense plays pretty well.
Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference
Oregon has a strong enough offensive identity with the no-huddle spread that they can plug in skilled QBs like Mariota, Darron Thomas, etc... without missing a beat and put up points. The Pac-12 is a stiffer conference overall than the ACC, only 5 of the 6 top-tier teams reside in the South (USC, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA). Michigan State and UCLA are the toughest teams y'all have played all year? Stanford in a down year? Come on. One loss teams should be in the conversation but not at the expense of undefeated squads in a Power Five conference, sorry.
You can only play your schedule. The only difference between a pre-2013 FSU squad and this year's is Jameis. When you have a QB that good, those issues are smoothed over. The ACC is a weaker conference overall... but it's not like wins against Clemson (without Winston), Louisville (#1 ranked defense in the country), or Notre Dame (out of conference, technically) are without merit. Undefeated with a shaky offensive line, decent-but-not-great defense, and rough rushing attack? I'll take 9-0 for now.
There's a chance that FSU makes it to the playoff and gets blown out. I doubt it, but it'd make this year's narrative easier to reconcile. No other team has looked "dominant" for the whole season -- undefeated Mississippi State almost lost to Arkansas at home 2 weeks back! Last I checked, Arkansas hasn't won a conference game yet. Enjoy Tuscaloosa this weekend, fellas.
For the record, Florida State hasn't lost a game since November 2012. Miami has been hitting its stride these past 3 weeks... we'll see how that goes.
FSU isn't playing especially dominant football lately, but considering they haven't lost yet, they are currently where they belong in the rankings. I don't think this is their year, but they'll be in the mix to the very end.
Oregon always finds some way to fuck up no matter how good they are. It's tough to get excited about them.
They haven't put together complete games and are still undefeated. The talent is there; the reps aren't.
