LOS ANGELES — Florida State (13-0) and Oregon (12-1) meet in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, and the focus is sure to be on back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.
“I think the game is the matchup of the century, I guess,” Winston said this week. “It’s going to be a fun game.”
Who else besides Winston and Mariota will determine the winner of the College Football Playoff semifinal?
Here’s a look at 10 key players.
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Winston is 27-0 as a starter, but the big question is whether or not he can avoid interceptions after throwing 17 this season. Only four of those picks came in the second half, but Winston can’t let the Seminoles fall behind. “I forced a lot of passes this year, but it’s a learning thing,” Winston said this week. We’ll find out Thursday.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Heisman Trophy winner’s statistics are off the charts; with 4,452 total yards and 52 total TDs. He’s thrown 17 TDs with just one interception in the second half of games this season, and he has a chance to dethrone the defending national champions, not to mention becoming Oregon’s third Rose Bowl winning quarterback.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The freshman sensation averaged 5.8 yards per carry, and he might be Florida State’s ace in the hole. Consider in the three games where he had at least 20 carries, Cook put up 147.7 rushing yards, including 177 in the ACC Championship Game.
Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
Freeman put up 953 rushing yards and 11 TDs in eight games after Oregon’s only loss this season against Arizona. He’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry in that stretch. He’s the perfect running mate for Mariota.
Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State
Greene is the all-time ACC leader in receptions, the consummate route runner and perfect possession receiver (93 catches, 1,306 yards, 7 TDs). When the Seminoles need a big play in the passing game, the ball is going to Greene. “That’s one of my great assets,” Greene said. “To run routes and be able to catch the ball.” It really is that simple.
Byron Marshall, RB/WR, Oregon
Marshall is an X-factor player; he averaged 7.7 yards per carry and led Oregon with 61 receptions for 814 yards. He scored six TDs this season. Marshall, however, did not score a TD against a ranked team this season. Will that change against the Seminoles?
Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State
Florida State needs to find ways to rattle Mariota, and Ramsey is the guy for the job. He had 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions this season. How much will he be used near the line of scrimmage?
Chris Seisay, CB, Oregon
All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was lost with a knee injury in bowl practice, and Seisay, a redshirt freshman, steps into a starting role against Florida State. Seisay will be tested early by Winston. How much will Seisay gamble against Florida State’s talented receivers?
Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
How many national championships would Florida State have with the right kicker? Aguayo is 46-of-49 on field-goal attempts the last two seasons, including an incredible 18-of-21 mark from 40 yards or more. He’s also a perfect 9-of-9 on neutral sites for his career. Remember that if this comes down to the last two minutes.
Tony Washington, DE, Oregon
The redshirt senior and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native is playing close to home. He’s a hybrid pass-rusher who leads the Ducks with five sacks. Washington needs to generate pressure opposite Florida State tackle Cameron Erving. It’s a battle in the trenches worth watching.
