Rose Bowl: Oregon Ducks vs Florida State, Three Things I’ll Be Watching
The Rose Bowl will feature a matchup that many Oregon fans have wanted for years. Oregon has been a powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest, but injuries last season sent them to the Alamo Bowl following two November losses. This season the Oregon Ducks lost one game, to Arizona, but bounced back to win out and take the Pac-12 Championship. Mark Helfrich and Company will meet Florida State today, a team that has gotten it done this season, even from behind. The Seminoloes are undefeated that last two seasons and Oregon will have work to do to break that streak, especially if the game comes down to kicking.
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Here is what I will be watching for on New Year’s Day from Oregon and Florida State:
Can The Oregon Offense Keep Their Momentum?
Oregon seemed to find their stride in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Arizona. That game was one month ago. Since then Oregon Ducks Quarterback has been renamed as Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota. The Offensive Line has had time to get healthy and Running Back Thomas Tyner appears to be ready to go for the game on Thursday. The Oregon Ducks appeared to be at full strength against the Wildcats, now will any rust show entering the game against Florida State?
With Olomu Out, Can Oregon Ducks Freshman Chris Sesay Step Up?
The Oregon Ducks lost Senior Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu in practice in early December. He will not play in the College Football Playoff for the Ducks. Freshman Chris Sesay has gained some valuable experience this season and will surely be tested early against the Seminoles. It would not surprise me if Florida State Quarterback Jameis Winston targeted the side of the field Sesay is protecting early. If Sesay struggles Oregon can always use Erick Dargan in a pinch, but he will be better utilized covering other areas of the field.
If it comes down to the Kicking Game, Oregon may be in Trouble
When the Oregon Ducks put up the points we know what they can do. However when they have run into trouble on Offense the last few seasons there is one area that has been troublesome. The kicking game. Matt Wogan and Aiden Schneider both have good legs, but have not had to have a clutch kick in a high pressure, game winning situation. In the last two seasons the Oregon Ducks are 2-2 in games with seven or fewer points and have hit two of three field goals from beyond forty yards in that span. Florida State has an 8-0 mark in games decided by seven or fewer points the last two seasons, seven of them this year and Seminoles kicker Roberto Aguayo has gotten the job done. He is not only eighteen for twenty-one in that span, but his career numbers are eye popping. Agyayo has made forty-six of the forty-nine field goals he has attempted and his leg clearly puts Florida State ahead of Oregon in that category.
Oregon and Florida State kickoff at 2:20pm Pacific Time on ESPN in the Rose Bowl, the first semi-final of the College Football Playoff.